POLK COUNTY, Fla. (Scripps News Tampa/Court TV) — A Florida grandmother whose granddaughter died after being left in a hot car was sentenced to five years in prison.
Tracey Nix takes the stand during her sentencing hearing April 3, 2025. (Court TV)
Tracey Nix, 67, was charged with aggravated manslaughter in the November 2022 death of Uriel Schock. In January, 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.
When handing down Nix’s sentence, the judge noted her lack of remorse, saying she showed “sorrow.” As proceedings ended, the judge also said he was “judicating her guilty for the record.”
The day Uriel died, Nix 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 Nix’s care. In 2021, 16-month-old Ezra Schock drowned in a nearby pond after Nix 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
- While handing down Tracey Nix’s sentence, the judge noted inconsistent statements between testimony and evidence, and questioned Tracey’s remorse, saying she showed “sorrow,” not remorse. Tracey was sentenced to 5 years in prison and given credit for time served.
- Tracey Nix took the stand and said she was “broken about what happened.” Tracey started her testimony by addressing her daughter Kaila, telling her she couldn’t imagine how she would’ve reacted had Kaila been taken from her.
- Tracey then detailed her movements the day Uriel died, explaining how she usually put Uriel’s car seat behind the passenger seat, but that day, Kaila had put the car seat behind the driver’s seat. Tracey testified that Uriel fell asleep in the car, and because of the quietness, she “literally forgot” Uriel was in the car after they left Beef ‘O’Brady’s.
- Tracey and Kaila spoke briefly back and forth while Tracey was on the stand, addressing her memory of them not discussing the details around Ezra’s death.
- Tracey told Drew Schock that they hadn’t received an apology from her because she wasn’t allowed to talk to them. She further stated she was “desperately sorry” for the pain they’ve endured and she would never hurt the children on purpose.
- Tracey spoke about Ezra’s death, saying Nun had gone to Walmart and she and Ezra were napping. When she woke up, she couldn’t find Ezra and began searching for him. Tracey said that as she was driving, looking for him, she saw something in the pond. Tracey said she began doing CPR and screamed for the neighbor. Tracey said she had no idea Ezra could open the door, that he had started walking only a few weeks before.
- Tracey told the judge that whatever his sentence was, she “was already in prison.”
- WATCH: Tracey Nix Says She ‘Literally Forgot’ Uriel Schock Was in the Car
- Drew Schock, the father of Uriel and Ezra, told the judge he’s “defending (his) children from a woman who took them away from (him).” Schock said “it’s insane” that prison time is being debated when two of his children have died while under Nix’s care.
- Kaila Nix Schock described the pain of losing two of her children under her mother’s care. At times during her victim impact statement, Kaila addressed Tracey, saying, “I hate that I have to choose.”
- Kaila asked the judge to “honor her children’s death,” stating “it doesn’t lessen (her) love for (her) mom.”
- As Kaila left the podium, she told her mother she loved her, and Tracey could be heard saying, “I love you.”
- WATCH: Kaila Nix Schock Says ‘I Hate That I Have to Choose’ at Mother’s Sentencing
- Nun Ney Nix, Tracey Nix’s husband, spoke in court during his wife’s sentencing, saying she “mourned in silence” after Uriel Schock’s death. Nun also discussed her medications, saying, “looking back….there were some changes.”
- Dr. Ryan Estevez, a forensic geriatric psychiatrist, testified that some of the medications Tracey was prescribed shouldn’t be given to elderly patients. Dr. Estevez said some of the medications she was taking at the time of Uriel’s death had “sedating” effects, including Ambien. Dr. Estevez also testified that putting Tracey in prison isn’t a good use of state resources.
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
