In the summer of 2017, a heart-wrenching incident unfolded in Phoenix, Arizona, leading to the death of a young child, Zane Endress. The six-month-old boy, died on July 28, 2017, after he was unintentionally left in a vehicle for a number of hours. At the time of the incident, Zane was in the care of his maternal grandparents.
Prior to this tragic event, the Department of Child Safety had contact with Zane's family.
A report of neglect related to parental substance abuse was received in May 2017. As a result, Zane's parents made arrangements for him to be cared for by his maternal grandparents while they sought treatment. The grandparents had no previous history with the department and passed a background check.
On the morning of July 28, 2017, Zane's grandfather, Norm Anderson, was supposed to take him to daycare. However, in a devastating lapse of memory, he drove to work instead, leaving the infant in his car seat in the vehicle. Zane was discovered later that day and was pronounced dead at the scene.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Phoenix Police Department launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Zane's death. Initially, no arrests were made. However, in January 2018, the Department of Child Safety substantiated allegations that the grandfather's neglect led to Zane's death. The department stated it would continue to work with law enforcement to ensure justice for the young boy.
