A MUM left her son to die in a boiling car when she couldn’t find childcare and then stopped for McDonald’s on the way to hospital.

Vanessa Esquivel, 27, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for her role in her toddler’s death.

The 15-month-old was left for over two hours in the back of a boiling vehicle without air conditioning on a day when outside temperatures reached 35C (95F), according to the Frisco Police news release.

As her son lay dying, the Texas mother stopped at McDonald’s before taking him to the hospital.

Investigators said the child had a core body temperature of 41C (106F) when he died, The Dallas Express reports.

Esquivel chose to leave her toddler unattended while she worked a shift at the Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa where she was employed, according to the release.

Employment records showed she worked a shift from approximately 1:45pm to 4:15pm on the day of the child’s death, it is reported.

In a recorded phone call to her co-worker, Esquivel admitted she had left her son in the car because she couldn’t find childcare – leaving her “between a rock and a hard place”.

She said that the incident was her fault and she believed that she would be arrested.

Lead prosecutor, Ashleigh Woodall, told PEOPLE: “Children that small should never be left unattended in a car, especially in the summertime and especially in Texas.

“Every year this happens, and we hate it. Jury is sending a message.”

Frisco Police Department officers were first alerted to the child’s death on August 16, 2025, after Esquivel brought the child to Medical City Plano.

The initial police statement said: “Based on information gathered during the investigation, Frisco Detectives believed probable cause existed that Esquivel had committed Murder, as her intentionally leaving the child in the car caused injury/endangered the child, which is a felony.

“Because it resulted in the child’s death, her actions met the statutory requirements of Murder.”

Under Texas law, a person convicted of murder must serve at least half of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

This comes as a two-year-old has died after being left in a hot car at a beach parking lot in Florida.

The child had allegedly been left alone in the vehicle by their babysitter on July 6.

The toddler was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately passed away upon arrival.

Authorities have launched an investigation which is still “in its preliminary stages”.

They said: “This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts are with the child’s family, and everyone affected by this tragedy.”

Cops then warned: “We also want to use this moment to remind every parent, guardian, and caregiver in our community: always check the back seat before locking your vehicle and walking away.

“Temperatures inside a parked car can climb to dangerous levels within minutes, even on days that don’t feel especially hot. One last look before you shut the door can save a child’s life.”

Source: https://www.the-sun.com/news/16654556/mum-left-baby-in-die-car-mcdonalds-hospital/