Winter Haven woman charged in granddaughter's hot car death

A 74-year-old Winter Haven woman was arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child in the March 31 death of her 17-month-old granddaughter, who was left in a hot car. Karen Denis Benyard was taken into custody Aug. 26. Police said Benyard unknowingly left the child in the vehicle after parking at her home at 2:07 p.m. and going inside for a nap. She found the child unresponsive at 3:46 p.m.; the girl died at a hospital at 4:33 p.m. An investigation found no discrepancies in Benyard's statement, and toxicology showed no alcohol or drugs. The medical examiner ruled the cause of death as hyperthermia from environmental exposure. Police noted that under Florida law, caretakers can be charged with aggravated manslaughter even in accidental incidents or memory lapses, sometimes called "forgotten baby syndrome."