A heart-wrenching incident unfolded in North Carolina when a one-year-old boy, Jacob Machado Carlos, was found unresponsive in a car seat after being left in the care of a woman running an unlicensed daycare.
The tragedy has shaken the local community, leaving Jacob’s family devastated.
The Discovery of Jacob’s Body
On April 30, Mercedes Rodriguez, 59, was arrested following the discovery of little Jacob, who was found blue and lifeless in his car seat.
Authorities reported that the child had been left strapped into the seat, with the straps around the upper half of his body, when another parent arrived at the daycare around 9 a.m. and immediately called 911 after realizing something was terribly wrong.
Jacob’s parents had dropped him off at the daycare early that morning, around 5:30 a.m.
They had no way of knowing that this would be the last time they would see their son alive.
The Arrest and Legal Consequences
Rodriguez was charged with operating a daycare facility without a license and will face additional charges, including homicide.
This tragic incident has left Jacob’s family grappling with grief, as they had trusted Rodriguez to care for their son, only to lose him in such an unimaginable way.
The heartbreak of Jacob’s parents was compounded by the need to bury their son before attending Rodriguez’s court hearing, a painful reality that no parent should ever have to endure.
Remembering Jacob
Jacob’s mother shared with a local news station, WGHP, about her son’s joyful spirit. “Jacob was very friendly. He loved to run outside and play with his sibling,” she tearfully recalled.
His father described him as “filled with love, and a very happy kid” who embraced everyone with open arms.
“He did that to the rest of the world,” he added, highlighting the warmth and affection that defined Jacob’s short life.
The loss has taken a profound toll on the family, with Jacob’s siblings also struggling to come to terms with the death of their little brother.
A relative expressed the pain felt by the family, saying, “We thought she was taking care of him like the mother she is, but we never thought she’d leave him in the car seat all morning.”
The Day Care and Previous Concerns
Rodriguez was reportedly caring for 13 children at the time of the incident.
The tragedy didn’t end with Jacob’s death; another child in her care was hospitalized on the same day.
In addition, it was revealed that Rodriguez had been investigated back in 2019 following allegations of child assault, raising questions about the safety of the children under her care.
Court Proceedings and Bail Concerns
Jacob’s family, understandably distraught, requested that the judge raise Rodriguez’s bail, citing fears that she might be a flight risk due to an ongoing deportation order.
However, the judge declined to increase her $10,000 bail, choosing to wait until official homicide charges were filed.
Jacob’s family expressed their disappointment with the decision, hoping for justice for their beloved child.
What’s Next for the Family?
As the case continues to unfold, Jacob’s family is left grappling with their loss while seeking justice for their son.
The journey ahead will likely be filled with emotional and legal challenges, but their pursuit of accountability for Jacob’s death remains steadfast.