Wake held for twins who died in hot car in Bronx, New York
YONKERS, N.Y. -- A wake is being held for the twin babies who died after being left inside a hot car in New York City's Bronx borough.
Visitation for Luna and Phoenix Rodriguez started at 3 p.m. Friday at Sinatra Memorial Home in Yonkers, New York.
Their father, 39-year-old Juan Rodriguez, told police he dropped off his 4-year-old son before heading to work at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center but forgot that the twins were inside the car on July 26, a sweltering hot day.
He returned to his car after work and started driving away before noticing his children, lifeless and foaming at the mouth. Police said he pulled over and screamed for help.
Rodriguez was charged with criminally negligent homicide and manslaughter and appeared in court Thursday.
"We are speaking to the district attorney's office to convey to them what I think that they know and understand -- that this was a horrific and terrible tragedy," Rodriguez's attorney Joey Jackson said outside of court.
As he spoke, Rodriguez clutched his 4-year-old with his supportive wife, Marissa, at his side.
Prosecutors said they will not present his case to a grand jury, but the criminal case is still active. The next court date is August 27.
RELATED: Criminal case put on hold against father involved in twins' hot car deaths
Mourners placed flowers, candles and stuffed animals close to where the car had been parked in the Bronx. A GoFundMe page for funeral expenses has now raised more than $93,000.
