Teen charged in boy's death after leaving him in van

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police have arrested a 19-year-old woman who allegedly left a little boy in a hot van where he later died.

Thursday morning, Paris Ward, appeared before Broward Circuit Court Judge John Hurley after she surrendered to police on Wednesday. "The court believes that there is ample evidence in the affidavit to support the charge of aggravated manslaughter, ma'am, of the child who was allegedly in your care at the daycare center," Hurley said.

Upon hearing the charges, Ward broke down in tears. Authorities charged Ward with one count of aggravated manslaughter.

Ward has been accused of negligently leaving 4-year-old Jordan Coleman inside a daycare vehicle at a Tamarac parking lot. Officials said Ward and another daycare worker attempted CPR but nothing worked. According to authorities, when Jordan arrived at the hospital, his body temperature was 108 degrees.

Coleman's aunt, Martina Sturridge, said the family is still mourning the horrible loss. "It's been hard because Jordan was just the focal point of our lives, and it just hurts a lot not seeing him anymore," said Sturridge.

Sturridge is happy to see justice has been done. "An arrest, I'm happy to see that there's justice, but it's not going to bring him back, you know? You're not going to hear, 'Birdy, birdy.' You're not gonna hear, 'Aunty, aunty,' you know? You're not going to hear that again," she said.

Ward's grandmother spoke to 7News behind her front door. "Our family is devastated for her. It's very, very sad. It's tragic," said Mrs. Julian. "She wasn't working. She was helping them, that's all. She was like a volunteer."

A spokesperson for Ward told the judge that Ward never received proper training and was never told that she had to do a roll call when the children got in and out of the van.

Ward is a recent high school graduate and has never been in trouble before. Since appearing in court, she has posted a $10,000 bond.

Officials are still investigating the case.

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