An Atlanta nurse, Deja Coleman, 29, has been granted a $5,000 bond and placed on house arrest after pleading not guilty to charges stemming from the death of her 16-month-old son, Daniel. The toddler died in her car on July 29 after being left in the vehicle for at least seven hours.
Coleman appeared in court on Wednesday requesting release to care for her two other children, a four-year-old and a six-year-old with special needs. Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Tamela Adkins granted the bond, ordering Coleman to wear an ankle monitor and remain on house arrest. The judge also ruled that Coleman is not allowed to drive her other children but may ride with them if a licensed adult is driving.
Prosecutors opposed Coleman's release, arguing that she was reminded of the child's presence at her workplace daycare. According to prosecutor Megan Mateucci, an employee at the daycare asked Coleman about the toddler while she was dropping off her other children, to which Coleman allegedly said she would bring him in shortly. Investigators stated the child was never brought into the daycare, and Coleman drove to Northside Hospital, where she works as a certified nursing assistant.
Coleman was reportedly on FaceTime while dropping off her children and driving to work. An employee discovered Daniel in the backseat of Coleman's car after approximately eight hours. The child was already deceased. Temperatures inside the vehicle were measured at 117 degrees Fahrenheit, with paramedics estimating it reached around 130 degrees.
"The evidence is not that this was an intentional killing," Mateucci said in court. "The evidence is that this was a negligent act and that her recklessness, her negligence, caused the death of this kid." Coleman denies charges of second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children.
Coleman's defense attorney, Trinity Hundredmark, argued that the incident was a "tragic accident" that occurred while her client "lacked some support." "She was a domestic violence survivor who left an abusive relationship to protect her children," Hundredmark stated, adding that Coleman is a protector of her children.
Coleman's aunt, Twrnia Hardy, wrote on Facebook that Coleman had experienced homelessness and abuse but remained strong. Hardy stated that Coleman prioritized her children's safety and did not leave them with just anyone. "She loved her children and didn't trust or leave them with just anyone," Hardy wrote. "In fact, she remained at the shelter until she found a stable place for them, then she went to work."
Coleman was previously granted temporary release to attend her son's funeral service in August.
"Daniel has passed, Dinero and Dakota seriously need their Mom, she is all they have," Hardy added. "We all make mistakes and this was truly one of them. Stand behind her and rally for her. We knew her and we know what type of Mom she is."