Coralan Kaye-Elizabeth Peters, 36, is facing criminal charges after her 20-month-old son, Enzo James Peters, was found dead in the family’s Monroe home on December 23, 2025. First responders found the toddler unresponsive in a pack-and-play and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators later said they were focusing on extreme indoor heat as a likely factor in the death.
Police records describe an overheated bedroom
According to police records, the home’s thermostat was set to 90 degrees, a portable space heater was running on high and pointed directly at the child’s pack-and-play, and multiple vents were blowing hot air into the bedroom, Local 12 reports. Officers at the scene noted strong odors and described the house as containing “trash, dirty diapers and spoiled food” throughout. Investigators collected the space heater and the child’s clothing as evidence while they continued their work.
Coroner findings and heater testing
A police test using the same model of space heater reportedly showed that materials at about crib height could reach temperatures in the upper 80s to mid 90s, according to CBS Detroit. The Lucas County Coroner’s Office reported that the child had internal and external signs consistent with dehydration and heat-related injury, with no evidence of blunt trauma. Officials say the official cause and manner of death are still pending as laboratory testing continues. Records outline a timeline in which Enzo was put to bed late on December 22, checked once overnight, and then found unresponsive the next morning.
Charges, bond and upcoming court dates
Prosecutors have charged Peters with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse. She was arrested earlier this month and arraigned in Monroe County District Court, where a judge set her bond at $750,000 cash or surety, according to Local 12. Court records list a probable cause conference for Thursday and a preliminary examination next Tuesday. The case is still under investigation as prosecutors and detectives wait on lab reports and additional evidence.
Why experts warn about indoor heat and space heaters
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has repeatedly cautioned that space heaters can start fires and also pose a hyperthermia risk, especially for children and for people who cannot move away or adjust conditions quickly. The agency advises that heaters should not be left running unattended in rooms with infants, according to the CPSC. Public health research also notes that very young children are less able to regulate body temperature on their own and are more vulnerable to dehydration and heat-related injury, per the CDC. Investigators say their probe into Enzo’s death is ongoing as they await the final lab results and additional records.
