Two charged after teen with special needs dies in hot car on SC highway

WALTERBORO, S.C. — Officials said a 13-year-old girl with special needs died after being left in a car for hours and now, two people have been charged.

According to the Colleton County Sheriff's Office, investigators responded Monday to a report of a child left in a vehicle on Low Country Highway, about 60 miles outside of Charleston. First responders pronounced the teen dead at the scene.

Colleton County Fire official Barry McRoy said the girl appeared to have been in the car for at least two hours.

Investigators arrested 49-year-old Rita Pangalangan and 41-year-old Larry King. Both are facing charges in connection with the teen's death.

(Rita Pangalangan)

Pangalangan is a teacher in the Colleton County School District. According to District spokesman Sean Gruber, she's been placed on paid leave.

The Sheriff's Office said South Carolina Law Enforcement Division's child fatality units are helping investigate.

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Associated Press