A Pennsylvania father has been charged with murder after his 14-month-old daughter died after being left in a hot car for several hours while he was allegedly under the influence of marijuana. Daniel Jeffrey Moist, 38, faces charges including third-degree murder, child endangerment, reckless endangerment, and leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle.
According to the Northampton County District Attorney’s office, Moist left his home on June 11 with his two children. He successfully dropped off one child at camp but failed to take his infant daughter to daycare, leaving her in the vehicle throughout the workday.
Moist’s wife alerted him that the child had not been dropped off at daycare around 4 p.m. He then returned to his vehicle and found the toddler unresponsive. He called 911 and transported the child to a nearby hospital.
Officers observed that Moist had “glassy, bloodshot eyes” upon their arrival. A search of the vehicle revealed a THC vape, and lab results later confirmed the presence of marijuana components in his system.
District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta stated that investigators believe Moist was under the influence of marijuana and intended to take his daughter to daycare. However, Baratta noted that there is currently no evidence that Moist was aware his daughter had been left in the vehicle. Moist has been arraigned, and his bail has been set at $500,000.