Kansas man accused of leaving children in hot car, causing 3-year-old’s death
A Johnson County man was arrested on suspicion of murder and child endangerment months after two children were allegedly left in a car on a hot day, resulting in one of their deaths.
Tyler Pence, 43, was arrested last week and charged Friday with two felonies, first degree murder and endangerment of a child, according to Johnson County District Court Records.
Deputies from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office responded around 5:30 p.m. September 3, 2025, to a medical call near K-10 and Kill Creek Road near De Soto. When they arrived, they found Pence and two children inside a vehicle, according to a news release.
Life-saving measures were performed on both children, the sheriff’s office said. A 3-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. A 1-year-old was taken to a hospital in critical condition, but recovered and was later released.
Details surrounding the reported “medical incident” were initially sparse, as investigators released little information about what led to the child’s death.
More than 7 months later, investigators allege the medical emergencies the children suffered were the result of them being left in a car on a hot day.
Pence was arrested following that determination, the sheriff’s office said.
The Star has requested court records in the case and is waiting to hear back.
Pence appeared in court Thursday afternoon via Zoom, a video conference platform. He requested a public defender and waived a formal reading of charges.
Magistrate Judge Wayne Smith set his bond at $250,000, cash or surety, and conditions including house arrest with GPS monitoring, no contact with victims or witnesses, no contact with children except for civil court orders and no use of alcohol or illegal drugs.
Pence is due to appear in court again 11 a.m. May 29 in Division 15 of Johnson County District Court.
Previous reporting by The Star’s Nathan Pilling contributed.
This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 10:39 AM.
