SWFL.io - Local NewsDamien Alvarado
•7/23/2026
FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — As the Lee County Sheriff’s Office continues investigating the death of a 17-month-old girl found inside a hot car, WINK News spent Thursday working to better understand what happens when a child dies while in foster care and how families begin coping with a sudden loss.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office says 17-month-old Gracian was found Tuesday afternoon inside a hot car in a church parking lot on College Parkway. Deputies say the investigation remains active, no arrests have been made and investigators are working alongside the State Attorney’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office also confirmed the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is conducting its own investigation.
When WINK News spoke with Gracian’s family Wednesday, they said they are still searching for answers.
“We just want to know why, how,” family member Danielle Jackson said. “How do you forget about a baby being in a back seat for that long?”
On Thursday, WINK News asked DCF to explain how child death investigations are handled, how the agency works alongside law enforcement and what internal review process may take place when a child dies while in state care.
A DCF spokesperson told WINK News the agency is processing those requests. As of Thursday evening, the agency had not provided additional information.
While the investigations continue, WINK News also spoke with Valerie’s House, a Southwest Florida nonprofit that supports children and families experiencing grief. Valerie’s House has no involvement with Gracian’s family or this case but says sudden losses often leave families struggling to process what comes next.
“The idea that you’re going to have your little kid home, and they’re not coming home,” said Keri Tutterrow, Director of Programs at Valerie’s House.
Tutterrow said unexpected deaths can be especially difficult because families are forced to navigate overwhelming emotions while trying to make sense of what happened.
“Anytime we don’t have that element of control…not that we necessarily ever do. I think it can be more difficult for some to process those emotions and navigate what the next steps should be,” she said.
She encourages families to lean on trusted friends, relatives, counselors and grief support organizations rather than trying to cope alone.
Valerie’s House offers peer support groups, individual counseling and family programming at no cost. The organization says all of its services are free to families.
Its sibling loss support group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Families seeking support can visit ValeriesHouse.org and select “Get Support,” or call 239-204-5804 to learn more about available services.
WINK News will continue following both the Lee County Sheriff’s Office investigation and DCF’s investigation and will update this story as more information becomes available.