De Soto, Kansas — A Kansas father is facing murder charges after authorities say he left his two young children trapped inside a dangerously hot vehicle for hours while he worked, resulting in the death of his 3-year-old daughter and severe injuries to his infant son.
The heartbreaking case has shocked the local community and raised renewed concerns about the deadly dangers of leaving children inside parked vehicles during warm weather.
Father Accused of Leaving Children in Hot Car
According to investigators, 43-year-old Tyler James Pence allegedly left his children inside a parked Buick Encore on Sept. 3, 2025, while he went into work near K-10 and Kill Creek Road in De Soto.
Authorities say the children — a 3-year-old girl and 1-year-old boy — remained strapped into their car seats for more than two hours with the vehicle turned off and the windows rolled up.
When emergency crews arrived around 5:30 p.m., both children were suffering from severe heat-related injuries.
The young girl was pronounced dead at the scene, while the toddler boy was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. Officials later confirmed he survived and eventually recovered.
Investigators Say Father Gave False Story
Court documents reveal that Pence allegedly called 911 himself and initially claimed he had been driving around with the children while searching for apartments when he noticed one of the children was no longer breathing.
He reportedly told dispatchers it was “really hot” inside the vehicle.
However, investigators later uncovered evidence that contradicted his account.
A co-worker reportedly informed deputies that Pence had actually shown up for his scheduled work shift that afternoon.
Surveillance footage allegedly confirmed the claim, showing Pence arriving at work at 2:59 p.m. and leaving both children alone inside the SUV.
Investigators say Pence remained inside his workplace for more than two hours because he wanted to get “everyone organized” before leaving.
He was reportedly seen returning to the vehicle at 5:19 p.m., just minutes before placing the 911 call.
Vehicle Temperatures May Have Reached 130 Degrees
Authorities concluded that while outside temperatures were around 85 degrees, the inside of the parked vehicle may have climbed to approximately 130 degrees.
Emergency responders also reportedly observed crumbs and juice containers inside the SUV, leading investigators to believe the children had no access to fluids during the ordeal.
Despite the severe condition of the children, investigators noted that Pence himself did not appear overheated when first responders arrived.
Court documents further state that the vehicle’s air conditioning was functioning, despite Pence allegedly claiming it did not work.
Responders reportedly found the air conditioning running on low with the fan operating at full power after the incident.
Murder Charges Filed Months Later
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said the arrest came after a lengthy investigation involving hospital staff, the Medical Examiner’s Office, and law enforcement officials.
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The case ultimately led prosecutors to charge Pence with:
- First-degree murder
- Aggravated endangerment of a child resulting in bodily harm
Officials described the arrest as the result of a “collaborative effort” and a “thorough investigation.”
Court Appearance Scheduled
Pence is currently being held in the Johnson County Jail on a $250,000 cash bond.
He is expected to appear in court again on July 9 as the legal proceedings continue.
The tragic incident serves as another devastating reminder of how quickly temperatures inside vehicles can become deadly, even when outside temperatures may not seem extreme.
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