DELTONA, Fla. — Students at Deltona Middle School paused to remember a 6-month-old baby Tuesday who died last Friday after he was left in an SUV in the parking lot of their school.
Trenton Cason-Collins died Friday after his cousin, Chandra Larson, 38, accidentally left him in her vehicle as she taught at the school.
Dozens of students gathered outside of the school, carrying stuffed animals, balloons and flowers as the group bowed their heads in a brief moment of silence before the start of class.
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"This was student-led, and they have been promoting it on social media. They just wanted an opportunity to say a few things because obviously they are all feeling something," said Nancy Wait of Volusia County Schools.
Tuesday was the first day back to class following the tragedy that happened outside of their school Friday.
Investigators with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said Larson was supposed to drop Trenton off at day care, but never did and the boy was found dead inside the car at the end of the school day.
"I feel so saddened because I was just seconds away from that car and just right there and passing by and it's so sad. I wish I could've done something more," said parent Sharon Bass.
So far, no charges have been filed, but Larson has been temporarily removed from the classroom, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Trenton's parents visited a makeshift memorial at the school Monday evening.
"I came to give my son the teddy bear," said Alycyia Cason, the boy's mother. "Just to give him one last thing before I say goodbye."
Trenton had been in the care of Larson, his godmother, for the past six weeks as his parents dealt with financial difficulties, Cason said.
"He was a very good kid. Always smiled,” said Brian Collins, the boy's father. "He was active. Very healthy. A loving child."
"All's we know is it was an accident," Collins said.
The parents said they bear no ill-will toward Larson.
The district said grief counselors have been provided to teachers and students.
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