A Dallas woman is facing a murder charge after police say she delayed taking her unresponsive son to the hospital -- making a stop at a McDonald’s -- after allegedly leaving him for hours in a hot car during her work shift, as The Independent reports.

Vanessa Esquivel, 27, was arrested after authorities determined she left her 15-month-old son inside a car with broken air conditioning on a sweltering day, later stopping for food while rushing him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

On Aug. 16, temperatures in North Dallas rose above 95 degrees. That same afternoon, Esquivel reported to work at the Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, where she was scheduled from 1:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. According to police, her toddler was kept inside her car during the entirety of her shift, which she confirmed during a later phone call.

Initially, Esquivel told both medical staff and police that she had been with her son all day, driving him around in a vehicle with no working air conditioning. She claimed the heat may have caused medical complications for the child. That account was quickly challenged by timelines provided by her employer and surveillance footage, investigators said.

After her shift, Esquivel allegedly noticed her son was unresponsive. Instead of heading directly to Medical City Plano, she reportedly stopped at a McDonald’s in North Dallas to order food. The reason for the stop has not been clarified by law enforcement or Esquivel herself.

Child's body temperature exceeded 106

By the time Esquivel arrived at the emergency room, her child was already deceased. Medical personnel reported to investigators that the boy's core body temperature had reached over 106 degrees, indicating prolonged exposure to extreme heat.

During questioning at the hospital, Esquivel reiterated her claim that she had remained with her son all day, driving through the Texas heat. She said the vehicle’s air conditioning was broken and the car was hot throughout the day. Investigators grew skeptical of her account and began to piece together a timeline based on eyewitness accounts and employment records.

The next day, Esquivel made a crucial phone call that would later be used against her in the investigation. She contacted a coworker from the spa using a recorded phone line and made several admissions regarding her actions that day. It was in this conversation that she revealed she had left the child in the car while she worked, unable to find childcare for her two scheduled clients.

Phone call confession triggers arrest

According to police documents, Esquivel acknowledged responsibility for the incident during the recorded call, explaining she had been “between a rock and a hard place.” She shared that she had intended to find childcare, but ultimately brought the child with her to the spa.

She also told the coworker that she was aware of the likely legal consequences. “I expect to be arrested,” she said during the call. Esquivel then asked her coworker not to share or publicize the contents of their conversation, which police later cited as a sign of premeditated awareness.

The name of the child has not been released by authorities. Officials cited privacy concerns and ongoing trauma for the family as reasons for withholding the child's identity. Esquivel was taken into custody shortly after the recorded phone call surfaced.

Murder charge filed

Esquivel was formally charged with first-degree murder and booked into the Collin County Jail. As of this writing, she remains in custody on a bond of $250,000. The charge came after investigators gathered witness statements, verified her work schedule, and listened to the incriminating call with her coworker.

The prosecutors in the case have not yet announced whether they intend to pursue additional charges. It’s unclear if authorities are investigating the spa where Esquivel worked to see if management was aware of the situation.

The Dallas community has expressed shock over the case, especially the reported decision to stop for food while transporting a dying child. Social media and local forums have shown an outpouring of grief, along with calls for better support systems for working parents who lack access to emergency childcare.

Lessons to learn

1. Child safety must come before all else. Whether it’s work, errands, or personal duties, no obligation justifies leaving a child in a hot car -- especially during extreme heat. Always check your car before locking it and consider fail-safes like child seat alarms or reminders on your phone.

2. Communicate child care challenges early. If you’re facing difficulties finding child care, reach out to an employer, friend, or support organization before trying to manage alone. While many parents face challenging decisions, there are often community resources available to help -- especially in emergencies.

3. Never delay a medical emergency. When someone’s life is at risk, every second counts. Even a short detour or distraction can mean the difference between life and death. Immediate action is critical, and choices made under pressure can carry significant consequences.

Why this story matters

Stories like this shine a light on the complexities working parents face when child care is inaccessible or unaffordable. It also reinforces the devastating impact of deferred decisions in emergency moments.

By understanding the roots and repercussions of such tragedies, communities can advocate for better safety nets and awareness.