Ridgefield Man Charged for Son's Hot Car Death Enters Plea, May Avoid Jail Time

A Ridgefield man charged with criminally negligent homicide in the hot car death of his son entered an Alford Plea in court on Tuesday, the News Times reports.

Seitz’s attorney said that prosecutors have agreed to a suspended sentence and that the judge will have the final approval on the sentence, according to News 12.

Kyle Seitz, 36, is accused of leaving his 15-month-old infant son, Benjamin Seitz, in a hot car in July when temperatures soared into the 80s while he went to work. Seitz was charged in November with criminally negligent homicide.

An Alford plea is when a defendant does not admit to a criminal act, but does admit that there is enough evidence that would likely result in a guilty finding if the case were to go to trial.

Benjamin was supposed to be dropped off at a daycare facility, but never arrived. Seitz checked his car that evening and rushed Benjamin to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The state Office of the Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide and the cause was hyperthermia.

Seitz originally pleaded not guilty in the case.

Seitz will be sentenced April 9, the News Times reports.

Read more at the News Times.

Photo credit: The Gift of Ben blog

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