POLK COUNTY, Fla. (Scripps News Tampa/Court TV) — A Florida grandmother whose granddaughter died after being left in a hot car faces a potential sentence of up to 8 years in prison at her sentencing on April 3.
Tracey Nix enters the courtroom during her manslaughter trial Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (Court TV)
Tracey Nix, 67, was charged with aggravated manslaughter in the November 2022 death of Uriel Schock. A jury found her not guilty of that charge but convicted her of leaving a child in a motor vehicle in excess of 15 minutes.
The day Uriel died, Tracey told a detective that after she drove home from lunch with friends, she “just forgot” about the baby in the backseat of her Lexus SUV. It wasn’t until one of her grandsons arrived that “all of a sudden” it “came across her head” that Uriel had been in the SUV all afternoon.
Temperatures that day reached 90°F. A medical examiner determined Uriel died from hyperthermia as a result of being left in a hot car for several hours.
According to Scripps News Tampa, Uriel is the second grandchild to die under Tracey’s care. In 2021, 16-month-old Ezra drowned in a nearby pond after Tracey fell asleep. A judge ruled Ezra’s death could not be mentioned during the trial for Uriel’s death.
DAILY TRIAL UPDATES
SENTENCING – 4/3/25
- Nix faces a potential sentence of up to 8 years in prison after a jury convicted her of leaving a child in a motor vehicle in excess of 15 minutes.
DAY 2 – 1/15/25
- The medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Uriel Schock testified that the child did not die from “sudden death,” explaining that “quick” but not “instant” could mean it took approximately an hour.
- The state rested its case-in-chief.
- Nun Nix, Tracey’s husband and Uriel’s grandfather, was the sole witness to testify for the defense.
- The prosecution and defense delivered closing arguments.
- The jury began its deliberations.
- After deliberating for 2 hours, 10 minutes and 54 seconds, the jury reached a verdict.
- Tracey Nix was found NOT GUILTY on Count 1 (Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child)
- Tracey Nix was found GUILTY on Count 2 (Leaving a child in a motor vehicle in excess of 15 minutes)
DAY 1 – 1/14/25
- In their opening statement, prosecutors argue Tracey Nix was negligent when she left her 7-month-old granddaughter Uriel Schock in a hot car, leading to her death. The defense says it was a tragic accident, not culpable negligence.
- Kaila Nix testified an officer came to her home to tell her that Uriel Schock had died and took her to the hospital to identify her child.
- Rebecca Tucker, daughter of defendant Tracey Nix and aunt of victim Uriel Schock, testified about arriving at her parents’ home to see her father performing CPR on the 7-month-old baby. The jury hears her 911 call.
- Two paramedics, who were called to the scene, testified Uriel had rigor mortis and was hot to the touch.
- WATCH: Forgetful Grandmother Manslaughter Trial: Day 1 Recap
