Father of twins who died in hot car appears in court

The Rockland County father who left his twins in his car for eight hours as he went to work in the Bronx was back in court Thursday.

News 12 Staff

Oct 24, 2019, 10:05 AM

Updated 1,645 days ago

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The Rockland County father who left his twins in his car for eight hours as he went to work in the Bronx was back in court Thursday.
Juan Rodriguez made his third court appearance in the case Thursday, but there has been no grand jury action taken yet. The prosecution has kept the case on hold, meaning no grand jury action has been reached, but charges could still move forward.
The 39-year-old father is charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide for leaving his twins, Luna and Phoenix, in the back seat of his Honda for eight hours while he went to work at the VA hospital in July.
Rodriguez had dropped off his 4-year-old son at day care that day, but claims he forgot his twins were in the back seat. The babies died as a result from the heat. His lawyer is pushing to have his case dropped, calling it a tragic accident.
Rodriguez has been out on a $50,000 bond. Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark says her office is in the process of an investigation. For an indictment to be handed down, a majority of the grand jury has to agree that a crime was committed.
Juan's wife Marissa was seen leaving court visibly upset after spectators hurled angry insults at them. Juan Rodriguez is due back in court Dec. 5.
 


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