VERO BEACH — The mother of a 5-month-old infant that died last week after being left in an SUV all day has been charged with aggravated manslaughter. The Vero Beach Police Department issued a warrant for Stephanie Salvilla Werking’s arrest. She is currently in jail on $2,500 bond. She will make a court appearance Friday.Vero Beach Police spokesman John Morrison has said that the baby probably died within an hour and a half given the 120- to 130-degree in the SUV.
According to Officer Morrison, the boy’s mother, Stephanie Werking, of Sebastian, said she forgot that her baby was in the back seat of the SUV when she arrived at work at 8:30 a.m. She told authorities during an interview that night that she was supposed to drop the child, Gannon, off at daycare but forgot.
The incident, a first for the Vero Beach Police Department in recent memory, occurred at 1717 Indian River Boulevard.
Officers responded to the parking lot of the complex, which includes the First United Bank, shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday, July 23, after a motorist called 911. Authorities found the child dead inside the vehicle and the child’s mother hysterical.
Morrison said that the boy’s parents, Stephanie and Jason Werking, were interviewed at the police station that evening. The couple has a 5-year-old son. Morrison declined to comment on whether the 5-year-old had been dropped off at daycare, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Morrison said that the mother arrived for work around 8:30 a.m. She went to her SUV just before 5 p.m. and saw the child inside. A passing motorist noticed the visibly upset woman and called 911.