A 74-year-old grandmother has been taken into custody and charged in the death of her 17-month-old granddaughter.
In a heartbreaking event back on March 31, 2026, a 17-month-old girl was in a car seat in the back seat of her grandmother’s car after being picked up along with a family member in Lake Wales. The family member had been babysitting the child while the mother was working in Winter Haven. The family member placed the child in the back seat securing the car seat then entering the front seat. On the trip from Lake Wales to Winter Haven, where the family member was dropped off at work, the child had fallen asleep.
The grandmother, 74 year-old Karen Denise Benyard, then drove to her Ave. N SW residence where she parked the vehicle at approximately 2:07 p.m. and went inside of the home, unknowingly leaving the child in the vehicle. Benyard took a nap and woke up at approximately 3:46 p.m. to go pick up the child’s mother from her place of employment.
When Benyard went to the car, she found the child unresponsive in the back seat. Winter Haven Police and Fire personnel responded to the scene and immediately started life-saving measures and transported the child to Winter Haven Hospital. Despite all measures to save the child, she was pronounced deceased at 4:33 p.m. on March 31, 2026. Overwhelmed with grief, Benyard was admitted to the hospital for treatment and was discharged several days later.
Winter Haven detectives conducted an extensive investigation including toxicology on the grandmother. On May 22,2026, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement report was received, which indicated negative for any alcohol or narcotics. Benyard’s cellphone and RING camera footage from various locations along her route were checked, as well, to ensure the timeline reported was accurate. Detectives found no discrepancies in Benyard’s statement.
After the medical examiner autopsy was returned on July 21, 2026, the report revealed there were no natural disease or physical injuries to the child, the cause of death being ruled to be hyperthermia due to environmental exposure.
Based on the totality of circumstances, Benyard was charged with one count of Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child (F1). On August 26, 2026, Benyard was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail.
“This is an absolutely heartbreaking case where there is no closure for the family,” said Winter Haven Police Chief Vance Monroe Jr. “Our entire department shares the heavy grief of this devastating tragedy.”
Note: Under Florida Statute 316.6135, it is illegal to leave a child who is 6 years of age or younger unattended or unsupervised in a motor vehicle for more than 15 minutes, or for any length of time if the car engine is running, the child is in distress, or their health is in danger. Even if an incident is accidental or due to a memory lapse (sometimes referred to as “forgotten baby syndrome”), parents or caretakers can be charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.
