Five-year-old dies in hot car

Theo Sabo was left in his family's car for over 2.5 hours after returning from a church baptism. His parents were hosting a party with 50 guests when they realized he was missing.

Discovered unresponsive in 106-degree heat

The family found Theo unresponsive in their vehicle outside their Peoria home. Temperatures reached 106 degrees that day, and CPR couldn't save him.

Parents charged with negligent homicide

Mihail Sabo, 50, and Anca Sabo, 45, were both charged with negligent homicide and child abuse. The couple have four other children aged 18, 15, 14, and 9.

Father blames 14-year-old son

Mihail told police he asked his 14-year-old to get Theo out of the car. The teen told cops he was never asked to do so.

Defense calls it a tragedy

Attorney Leah Dodd argued the charges weren't warranted, saying Theo was sleeping and there was a lot going on. She insisted asking a 14-year-old to help was reasonable.

“This was a, I can't overstress this, a tragedy.”

Mother pleads to see her children

Anca wept loudly in court and clutched her chest throughout the hearing. She pleaded with the judge to let her see her four surviving children.

“I want to see my kids. Please let me see my kids.”

Both parents released on bond

Each parent was given $150,000 bond and barred from contacting each other. They can have supervised visits with their four other children and are due back in court Sept. 21.