Transcript
A Florida man with down syndrome died in a hot car while his caretaker took a nap.
26-year-old Joshua Russell is now facing aggravated manslaughter charges.
Russell worked at a group home in the Tampa, Florida area.
He was taking 35-year-old man with down syndrome John LaPointe to a doctor’s appointment in May.
After taking LaPointe to his appointment, investigators say Russell went to his own home and took a supplement called Kratom.
It is sometimes used as a recreational drug.
Russell headed for the group home with LaPointe, but he allegedly told police he began feeling “tired and nauseous.”
So he returned home, turned the van off, and took a nap.
When he woke up two to three hours later he was covered in sweat.
He noticed LaPointe was slumped over and unresponsive.
LaPointe was dead in the back seat still strapped in his seat belt.
Authorities say Russell attempted CPR but was unsuccessful.
He went back home to get his gun with the intention of killing himself.
He was charged with carrying a concealed firearm.
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