Mother Accused of Leaving Space Heater Aimed at Toddler’s Crib With Thermostat Set to 90 Degrees Is Charged After Child’s Death, Police Say
A Michigan mother is facing criminal charges after authorities say her toddler son died in a room that had been heated to an extreme temperature, according to police and court records.
The case stems from an incident in Monroe, Michigan, where officers responded to a welfare check at a residence late last year. When first responders arrived, they reportedly found the inside of the home unusually warm. Investigators later determined that the thermostat had been set to approximately 90 degrees.
According to police statements, a portable space heater was also positioned in the child’s bedroom and directed toward the toddler’s crib.
What Investigators Say Happened
Authorities allege that the 20-month-old boy had been left in the heated room for an extended period of time. After emergency personnel arrived, the child was transported for medical care but was later pronounced dead.
As part of the investigation, police reportedly conducted follow-up testing using a similar model space heater to better understand how hot the sleeping area could have become. Officials say those tests indicated temperatures in the mid-90s near the crib when the heater was operating in similar conditions.
Investigators have not publicly released every detail surrounding the timeline, but officials have indicated that environmental heat played a significant role in the case.
Charges Filed
The child’s mother, identified in court documents as 36-year-old Coralan Kaye-Elizabeth Peters, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse.
Under Michigan law, involuntary manslaughter charges typically apply when prosecutors believe a death resulted from gross negligence rather than intent. Second-degree child abuse charges generally relate to actions that place a child at unreasonable risk of serious harm.
The defendant has been taken into custody and is expected to appear in court as the case moves forward.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities say the investigation remains active. Additional details, including autopsy findings and forensic analysis, are expected to be presented as court proceedings continue.
Officials have not indicated whether there were prior complaints or reports involving the home.
The case has drawn attention locally, particularly as colder weather leads many households to rely on supplemental heating devices. Safety experts have long cautioned that space heaters should be kept at a safe distance from bedding, cribs, and other flammable materials, and that room temperatures should be carefully monitored when young children are present.
As of now, the charges remain allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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