Charges against mother upgraded to homicide by child abuse and neglect

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The charges against the mother of a 1-year-old who reportedly died Wednesday from being left in a hot vehicle were upgraded Thursday evening.

According to Tonyia McGirt, public information officer with Sumter Police Department, a warrant was served against Latisha Nichole Rembert, 24, for homicide by child abuse and neglect. Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center's website showed that she was initially charged Wednesday with legal custodian, unlawful neglect of a child or helpless person. The police department at that time had not confirmed the charges.

Sumter County Coroner's Office has reported the preliminary cause of death of 1-year-old Mekhi Rembert was hyperthermia because of entrapment in a hot vehicle. Coroner Robert M. Baker Jr. said a toxicology report will take about six weeks to confirm the cause of death.

The child was found unresponsive Wednesday at Swan-Lake Iris Gardens after first responders were called to the scene. Police later learned that the mother had left the child in the vehicle parked at a location in the county before driving to Swan Lake.

Officers and other first responders attempted to revive the child before police escorted the ambulance and blocked traffic en route to Palmetto Health Tuomey shortly after 3:15 p.m. Wednesday. The entrance gate to the gardens were shut and secured.

Sumter Police Department later reported the child did not survive.