WINTER HAVEN, FL — Winter Haven police have arrested 74-year-old Karen Denise Benyard months after investigators say her 17-month-old granddaughter died from hyperthermia after being unintentionally left inside a parked vehicle. Benyard was taken into custody Aug. 26 and booked into the Polk County Jail on one count of aggravated manslaughter of a child, a first-degree felony.
The investigation began March 31 after Benyard picked up the toddler and a family member in Lake Wales. The child fell asleep in a car seat during the drive to Winter Haven, where Benyard dropped the family member off at work.
Police said Benyard arrived at her residence around 2:07 p.m., went inside and unknowingly left the child in the vehicle. Benyard took a nap and woke around 3:46 p.m. to pick up the child’s mother from work.
When she returned to the vehicle, she discovered the toddler unresponsive. Winter Haven Police and Fire personnel began lifesaving measures before transporting the child to Winter Haven Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased at 4:33 p.m.
Detectives conducted an extensive investigation, including reviewing Benyard’s cellphone and Ring camera footage along her route. Toxicology results from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement were negative for alcohol and narcotics, and investigators said they found no discrepancies in Benyard’s account.
An autopsy received July 21 found no natural disease or physical injuries and determined the child’s cause of death was hyperthermia due to environmental exposure.
“This is an absolutely heartbreaking case where there is no closure for the family,” Winter Haven Police Chief Vance Monroe Jr. said. “Our entire department shares the heavy grief of this devastating tragedy.”
SOURCE: WINTER HAVEN POLICE DEPARTMENT
