Family Marks 11 Years Since Child's Death In Hot Truck
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MAYPEARL, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - This June, marks 11 years since the Terry family lost their 6-month-old daughter Mika.
"The high that day, June 23, 2005 was 93 [degrees]. Not as hot as it has been the last few days, but it didn't matter. It doesn't matter," says Michele Terry.
It is an anniversary no parent ever wants to have to commemorate; the anniversary of their child's death. On that June morning, her husband, Mikey, would accidentally leave their 6-month-old baby, inside his truck.
"No one is above this tragedy. It can happen to anyone," Mrs. Terry explains.
Her husband, who had recently been laid off, was dropping off two of his children at two different day care locations. His wife normally had drop-off duty.
He dropped off one child and was heading three blocks away to drop off the baby, when he realized the road was blocked. Mrs. Terry says he took a detour, and then was distracted with a phone call about a possible job.
Mr. Terry would later park his truck at a local church where he was helping do some construction work.
"It all of a sudden hit him, he hadn't dropped [Mika] off. He's frantically calling anyone that was around. It was too late," she says.
A grand jury would later determine this father's mistake was a tragic accident. They did not file charges.
Mrs. Terry says she sees so many similarities between her family's tragedy 11 years ago and the recent events in Melissa.
The Collin County Sheriffs Department has charged with manslaughter. According to the probable cause affidavit, Michael Thedford dropped his older children at daycare, then left his 6 month old daughter in the family van for four hours, while he took a nap. He told investigators he forgot the child was in the car.
"I just want to go give them a nice big hug. It hurts my heart. I feel their pain," said Mrs. Terry.
Speaking from experience, she says the Thedford family is not just dealing with the loss of a child, it is also facing the harsh court of public opinion.
"Their life has changed forever, and if you're sitting behind that keyboard and you can't recognize there's a tragedy here and someone is hurting, then I'll pray for you," she said.
(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
