Nigerian Mother Arrested For Daughter’s Death In Hot Car In Texas

A Nigerian mother, Gbemisola Akayinode, has been arrested and charged with felony murder after her nine-year-old daughter, Oluwasikemi, was found dead inside a hot car in Galena Park, Texas, United States.

Reports indicate that the 36-year-old mother left her daughter in the car while she went to work at a factory that produces industrial and building materials. Akayinode reportedly rolled down the back windows halfway and left the child with food, a fan, water, and ice cubes. She also gave her melatonin to help her sleep.

In a confession shared on Instagram, Akayinode admitted that she stayed in the office throughout her eight-hour shift without checking on her daughter, claiming she was “too busy.” When she returned to the car after work, she found her daughter unresponsive and screamed for help.

The girl was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. According to the medical examiner’s office, the child’s body temperature was 108 degrees Fahrenheit, and her cause of death was hyperthermia — a condition caused by extreme heat.

During police questioning, Akayinode reportedly confessed that this was not the first time she had left her daughter alone in the car while at work. She said she could not afford daycare until she received her next paycheck. A coworker later revealed that he had occasionally helped her with money, knowing she was struggling to make ends meet.

When asked whether she had checked the weather that day, Akayinode said it had “slipped her mind.”

She appeared in court on Sunday and is expected to return on Monday. Her bond has been set at $500,000.

The tragic incident has sparked emotional reactions online, with many expressing grief and calling for greater compassion within communities.

One commenter wrote:

“It’s sad how far we’ve drifted from the true meaning of sisterhood. What happened to women helping women — to watching each other’s kids, to sharing meals, laughter, and wisdom? Maybe it’s time we find our way back to compassion and community again.”

Another Nigerian user added:

“I cried watching this story last night because it could have been any one of us. She’s in jail now with a $500,000 bond. Our community needs to do better. Odunmi gan.”

Others expressed disbelief that the mother worked for eight straight hours without checking on her child, describing the situation as both heartbreaking and preventable.

The case has reignited conversations about poverty, isolation, and the challenges faced by immigrant parents struggling to balance survival with childcare in a foreign land.