BEEVILLE, Texas (KRIS) – A Texas grandmother has been formally charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a nine-month-old girl.

Ruth Rodriguez turned herself in to police this week after her granddaughter was found dead in the back seat of her car.

Texas authorities said the baby was left in the vehicle in the heat for about five hours.

“This is taking a toll on my officers, but we will get through this and she will receive justice,” said Beeville Police Chief Kevin Behr.

According to Behr, their investigation began on August 21 after they were called to a home where a child – later identified as Gabriella – was found unconscious in a car.

An affidavit said that when police arrived at the home, a paramedic was carrying Gabriella’s lifeless body.

“She forgot to check her back seat. She forgot the child was there and didn’t discover the child until later that afternoon,” Behr said.

According to the affidavit, Rodriguez was distressed, crying and having difficulty breathing.

She eventually told police that she was about to leave to pick up her grandson from high school when the baby’s father called and asked why he hadn’t dropped her off at daycare.

At that moment, Rodriguez noticed that her granddaughter was still sitting in the back seat of the vehicle.

“As far as I know, she thought she had already dropped them off at daycare, which was obviously not the case,” Behr said.

During the investigation, an officer used a laser thermometer to measure the temperature in the vehicle. The thermometer read 42.4 °C (107 degrees Fahrenheit).

Police said the results of their investigation would be forwarded to the district attorney, who would then present the case to the grand jury.

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