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Toddler who died of heatstroke in car remembered at Lancaster park gathering

by Jim E. Winburn • August 13, 2014

Family and friends release memorial balloons at Jane Reynolds Park Tuesday to celebrate what would have been Aurora-Aryana Madonna Hollingsworth's 2nd birthday. Twenty-month-old Baby Aurora-Aryana (right) died of heatstroke on April 22 after being left in a vehicle for eight hours on an 83-degree day.
Family and friends release memorial balloons at Jane Reynolds Park Tuesday to celebrate what would have been Aurora-Aryana Madonna Hollingsworth’s 2nd birthday. Twenty-month-old Baby Aurora-Aryana (right) died of heatstroke on April 22 after being left in a vehicle for eight hours on an 83-degree day.

LANCASTER – Family and loved ones Tuesday evening gathered at Jane Reynolds Park in Lancaster to celebrate what would have been a toddler’s 2nd birthday.

Aurora-Aryana Madonna Hollingsworth was memorialized with prayer, a Happy Birthday song, and the release of pink, purple and white balloons into the sky.

The 20-month-old toddler died of heatstroke on April 22, 2014, after her grandfather allegedly left her in a vehicle for about eight hours on an 83-degree day in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. North Richland Hills police have charged the grandfather, 59-year-old James Hollingsworth, with injury to a child – recklessly by omission – according to a KDFW FOX 4 report.

Linda Hollingsworth (center) reflects on Tuesday's celebration of her 20-month-old daughter's life.
Linda Hollingsworth (center) reflects on Tuesday’s celebration of her 20-month-old daughter’s life.

Having returned to the Antelope Valley, Linda Marie Hollingsworth, Aurora-Aryana’s mother, wanted to address her grief by remembering her daughter’s life through a balloon release.

“I don’t want her to be forgotten, so today we are celebrating her life,” Hollingsworth told The AV Times.

Fighting back tears, Hollingsworth said she appreciated the outpour of support from family and friends, while noting that it is important for her to do something to address child safety.

“I just want to spread awareness about kids being left alone in hot cars,” she said. “And this happened to me. It wasn’t my fault. My father had forgotten her in the car.”

Palmdale resident Michael Varelas, who recently started his own local ministry, led the group in prayer to bring peace to grieving family members. “It does give you comfort to turn to God,” Varelas said. “When you turn to prayer, you just have peace knowing that your family member has received a victory: being in heaven. They have no more suffering; they don’t have to deal with what we have to deal with here. That’s the way I see it – the easiest way to cope with it.”

Because of recent media attention and incidents regarding the deaths of children left in vehicles, Varelas said he practices more awareness of child safety.

Friends and family members of 20-month-old Baby Aurora-Aryana memorialized the toddler's short life with a photo album. (JIM WINBURN)
Friends and family members of 20-month-old Baby Aurora-Aryana memorialized the toddler’s short life with a photo album. (JIM WINBURN)

“People just need to be more aware of their surroundings when you have children with you,” he said. “Make sure that everybody’s accounted for. … I make sure, first thing before I take my seatbelt off that they’re ready to go, ready to leave the car – especially when you live in any place that is hot. You have to be mindful of your kids in every place.”

According to a July 29 news release from the child safety group, KidsandCars.org, 18 children have already died from heat stroke this year after being left in cars. The number of child heat stroke deaths in vehicles continues to average 38 per year, or about one every 9 days, the non-profit reported. Additionally, more than 670 U.S. children have died in hot cars in the past 20 years.

An online obituary at FamilyOwned.net reports that Aurora-Aryana (Aug. 12, 2012 to April 22, 2014) was survived by her mother Linda Hollingsworth, brothers Zachary Hoatson and Hunter Eubanks, and sister Athena Hoatson.

–

About the author

Jim E. Winburn is freelance reporter covering news of public interest.

Filed Under: Lancaster

7 comments for "Toddler who died of heatstroke in car remembered at Lancaster park gathering"

  1. Kyle coppedge says

    September 6, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    Love you baby girl. Hope you enjoyed your birthday in Heaven and seen all the pretty balloons being released across the USA. 5 states made a cross to the Heavens for YOU baby girl

  2. Mike C says

    August 16, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    Rest in peace Aurora. A very unfortunate thing happened here that cut this baby’s life short. I feel for the grandfather too. He didn’t mean for this to happen. People need to pay way closer attention when they have kids in the car with them. This same thing happened to two little kids on the corner of Ave. J and Fern street in Lancaster right next to Jane Reynolds park about 5 or 6 years ago. So sad.

  3. mary fink says

    August 13, 2014 at 10:28 pm

    It was an amazing celebration of auroras life so glad I was able to be there with you and your children what a wonderful birthday gift you gave to her…all my love linda ♡♥

  4. such a precious life = so sad by her loss - I get choked up = Linda you are not only strong but also courageous - I pray that heavenly father continues to guide us in spreading awareness & prevention. says

    August 13, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    Very glad to have participated in the balloon release to help celebrate Aurora

  5. patricia leavitt says

    August 13, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    Love you little angel aurora!!! Linda is an amazingly strong woman and wonderful mom! A true hero and inspiration to us all….

  6. E.Cruz says

    August 13, 2014 at 6:01 pm

    Always in our thoughts and prayers we love you..

  7. Alexandra says

    August 13, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    R.I.P baby girl! U will never b forgotten!! <3
    LOVE u linda!!!

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