Tragedy Strikes Elizabeth Downs: 31-Year-Old Woman Charged with Criminal Neglect After Baby Cohen, 9 Months, Dies in Driveway Minivan

By Staff Reporters Adelaide, Thursday 5 March 2026

A devastating incident has rocked the quiet streets of Elizabeth Downs in Adelaide’s north, where a nine-month-old baby boy named Cohen was found unresponsive inside a minivan parked in the driveway of a family home.

Emergency services were called to a property on Midlow Road around 8pm on Wednesday night after frantic reports that the infant was not breathing. Despite desperate resuscitation efforts by paramedics, police, and neighbours, little Cohen could not be revived.

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The peaceful suburban street of Midlow Road in Elizabeth Downs, where the tragedy unfolded on Wednesday night. Similar brick homes line the road where families live side by side.

It is understood the little boy had been left in the vehicle. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as Cohen’s parents realised he was missing from his bedroom and began desperately searching the house and calling for help from neighbours.

Neighbours told 7NEWS they ran door-to-door pleading for assistance while CPR was performed on the tiny infant in the driveway. Heartbreaking accounts emerged of his mother begging him to “wake up”, her cries echoing through the suburban night.

“I’ve got my own kids, so that’s scary,” said neighbour Jane Hudson, visibly shaken by the events. Another resident, Jessica Edwards, added: “I’ve got a grandbaby — that’s just horrible. The whole community is devastated.”

The street quickly filled with police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks as emergency crews worked tirelessly under the evening lights. Detectives from SA Police returned to Midlow Road on Thursday morning to speak with witnesses and the grieving family as the investigation continues.

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Driver charged over fatal Elizabeth Downs crash – ABC News

Emergency services, including SA Ambulance and police, responded swiftly to the Midlow Road address around 8pm Wednesday.

Following further inquiries, a 31-year-old woman who lives at the Elizabeth Downs property was arrested and charged with criminal neglect. It is not publicly known what her exact relationship to baby Cohen is, but she has been bailed to appear in Elizabeth Magistrates Court on April 14.

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Elizabeth Magistrates Court | Playford’s Past

The Elizabeth Magistrates Court, where the 31-year-old woman will face her first court appearance on April 14.

Police have not released further details about how long Cohen may have been inside the minivan or the exact circumstances leading to the tragedy. An autopsy is expected to determine the precise cause of death, while forensic officers continue examining the vehicle and the home.

This heartbreaking case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of leaving young children unattended in vehicles, even for short periods. In Australia, hot car deaths and related tragedies claim several young lives each year, often due to simple oversights that escalate rapidly. Even in milder autumn conditions like those in Adelaide this week, temperatures inside a parked car can rise dangerously within minutes.

Kidsafe and road safety organisations have long campaigned on this issue, urging parents and carers never to leave children alone in cars — not even “just for a minute” to run an errand. Campaigners stress the importance of routines, such as always checking the back seat when leaving the vehicle, using reminder apps, or placing a bag or phone in the rear with the child.

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133 Minivan Front Home Stock Photos – Free & Royalty-Free Stock Photos from Dreamstime

A typical suburban driveway scene similar to where baby Cohen was found unresponsive in the family minivan.

Elizabeth Downs, a tight-knit northern suburb characterised by modest brick homes and family-oriented streets, is now grappling with collective grief. Local residents described the area as ordinarily peaceful, where children play safely and neighbours look out for one another. The sudden loss of such a young life has left many questioning how this could happen in their own community.

SA Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward, emphasising that the Major Crime branch is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness. Officers are examining timelines, witness statements, and any available CCTV or doorbell footage from nearby properties.

While the investigation is in its early stages, the swift laying of charges indicates police believe there was a serious lapse in duty of care. Criminal neglect charges in South Australia carry significant penalties, reflecting the community’s expectation that the most vulnerable — especially infants — are protected at all times.

Family members and friends of the household have been offered counselling support through victim services, and local community groups are rallying to provide practical assistance during this difficult time.

As the investigation unfolds, this case is likely to spark renewed conversations about child safety protocols, both at home and in vehicles. Advocacy groups are already calling for greater public awareness campaigns ahead of the warmer months, when the risks inside parked cars become even more acute.

For now, the focus remains on baby Cohen — a nine-month-old whose short life ended far too soon in the driveway of what should have been a safe family home. Neighbours say they will remember the tiny boy’s smile and the way his presence brightened the street.

The 31-year-old woman remains on bail with conditions. Police have urged the public not to speculate while inquiries continue.

Additional reporting by Mitchell Sariovski and Lauren Thomson, 7NEWS. This article contains approximately 720 words.

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Benefits of EMS CPR on scene vs. load and go

First responders performing life-saving efforts, as occurred on Midlow Road Wednesday night when paramedics fought to revive the infant.

This tragedy underscores the fragility of life and the profound responsibility that comes with caring for children. The entire Adelaide community mourns with the family and hopes that lessons from this loss will prevent future heartbreak.