Belleville mother pleads not guilty in heat death

BELLEVILLE -- A southern Illinois mother whose 1-year-old daughter died after she was left in a hot parked car in rural Belleville has pleaded not guilty to charges of endangering the life or health of a child.

Twenty-two-year-old Jennifer Gomez of Collinsville pleaded Monday before St. Clair County Associate Judge Zina Cruise. Gomez was freed on $7,500 bond.

The victim, Giselle Gomez, wasn't breathing and was covered in heat blisters when she was found last Wednesday. St. Clair County Sheriff's Capt. Steve Johnson says the outdoor temperature was almost 90 degrees when Gomez left Giselle and her 2 1/2-year-old sister in the car.

Family members found Giselle unresponsive about 90 minutes later.