DALLAS — The parents of a 3-year-old boy who died after being left in a hot day care van say they have forgiven the worker arrested in the case.
Family members and friends assembled outside Little T's Tiny Tots on Saturday evening to remember the life of Benjamin Price and to support his parents, who spoke publicly about the case for the first time.
"I want you to know that you deeply hurt us," said Bryan Price, addressing 32-year-old Erica Hooks, the Tiny Tots employee who left Benjamin in the van upon their return from a field trip on July 20.
The Dallas Morning News reports the boy was found in the van 2 1/2 hours later.
Speaking just a few feet away from the van where the boy died, Melanie Price said her son was an angel sent from heaven.
"I thank God just for us being his parents," she said Saturday evening.
Child Protective Services spokeswoman Marissa Gonzales said Little T's Tiny Tots daycare chose to close temporarily while state officials investigate Benjamin Price's heatstroke death.
Hooks was arrested Thursday and charged with injury to a child. She's being held on $50,000 bond in the Dallas County jail. No attorney for her is listed in jail records.
Benjamin will be laid to rest next Saturday at Deliverance Chapel Church of God and Christ.
