Baby found dead after being left in truck for hours; mother arrested

PEORIA, Ill. (WEEK/Gray News) - A mother in Illinois has been arrested after her baby was pronounced dead in a yard Monday night.

According to Peoria police, officers were called to a residence at about 7 p.m. where they found a 1-month-old infant not breathing and unconscious.

The boy, later identified as Grayson, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said the infant was pulled from a pickup truck and placed into a yard by his grandfather that evening where first responders found the boy.

Authorities said Grayson was left inside the truck for more than four hours.

According to an autopsy, the baby died from hyperthermia and severe dehydration.

Peoria police said Grayson’s mother 25-year-old Andrea Luncsford was taken into custody for endangering the life or health of the infant.

Luncsford has a criminal record dating back to 2019 where she has faced charges of aggravated battery of a peace officer on three previous occasions.

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