California 3-Year-Old Tragically Dies in Hot Car While Mom is Busy Tending to Weed Plants

Thursday evening, officers and EMS were dispatched to the 100 block of W. Perez in Visalia, California, in response to a three-year-old girl, Jessica Campos, being left in a vehicle for 2.5 to 3 hours in 100-degree weather.

The local police posted to Facebook:

“Involuntary Manslaughter Arrest: On June 3, 2021 at 5:47 p.m., officers and emergency services personnel were dispatched to the 100 block of W. Perez regarding a 3-year-old, later identified as Jessica Campos, who was not breathing after being left in a parked vehicle for an extended length of time. An officer was on an unrelated call across the street from the residence and was on scene within seconds. The patrol officer took over CPR duties from family members who were trying to revive Jessica. Once Fire Department and ambulance personnel arrived on scene, they took over life saving measures. Jessica was transported by ambulance to Kaweah Health Medical Center, where she was pronounced deceased. The Violent Crimes Unit responded to take over the investigation. Based on statements obtained by detectives, it is believed that Jessica was left in the vehicle for 2 ½ to 3 hours prior to being discovered. The outdoor temperature was determined to be at least 100 degrees at the time of the incident. Statements obtained indicated that Jessica’s mother, Eustajia Mojica Dominguez, had been tending to a marijuana grow and processing marijuana during the time the child was left in the vehicle. The Narcotics Unit and the Special Enforcement Unit were contacted to assist in the investigation for the marijuana related concerns. 70 mature marijuana plants, 80 immature marijuana plants, and approximately 475 pounds of processed marijuana were located at the residence. Four other children, ages 15,11, and two that were 9 months old, were found at the residence. They were all turned over to Child Welfare Services. Four additional adults were found to be at the residence at the time of the incident. They were identified as: Araceli Mojica, Emmanuel Ortiz-Aguilar, Valentin Aguilar Ortiz, and Victor Flores Corona.Araceli Mojica, Emmanuel Ortiz-Aguilar, Valentin Aguilar Ortiz, and Victor Flores Corona were all booked at the Tulare County Pretrial Facility for 273a(a) PC, Child Endangerment. Eustajia Dominguez Mojica was booked at the Tulare County Pretrial Facility for 192(b) PC, Involuntary Manslaughter, and 273a(a) PC, Child Endangerment. Drug charges related to the marijuana are being recommended to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office against all the adult suspects. This investigation is on-going. Anyone with information is urged to contact Det. Rob Meier at (559) 713-4211 or Det. Henry Martinez at (559) 713-4156.”

The little girl was not breathing when officers arrived, and family members were performing CPR on the child. Officers then took over, and she was rushed to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, tragically.

According to Fox 26 News, the temperature in cars on 100 degree days can reach 140 or higher. Currently, the Visalia violent crimes unit is working to recreate what the environment was like inside the car, according to Department Seargeant Mike Verissimo.

According to witnesses, the child’s mother, Eustajia Mojica Dominguez (28), was taking care of a marijuana farm and processing marijuana while the child was in the car.

Over 70 mature marijuana plants and 80 immature marijuana plants, along with 200 lbs of processed marijuana were found inside the house where the car was parked. In California, households are allowed to have 6 mature plants and 12 immature ones. What was found was well beyond the legal limit.

Dominguez has been arrested along with four others, Araceli Mojica (33), Emmanuel Ortiz-Aguilar (34), Valentin Aguilar Ortiz (27), and Victor Flores Corona (41). The charges facing them are involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment, and marijuana cultivation.

Four other children were found in the household, ranging in age from 9 months to 15 years old. The children were placed in the care of Child and Welfare Services.

This is a horrible tragedy that could have been easily avoided but is totally irreversible now, with four adults in the home and not a single person noticing a missing three-year-old for hours. Our hearts go out to the other children found in the home and all affected by this heartbreaking news.