POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A woman was found not guilty of aggravated manslaughter but guilty of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle for more than 15 minutes. This verdict came in the tragic case involving Tracey Nix, a 67-year-old from Hardee County. She left her fragile 7-month-old granddaughter in a sweltering car, leading to the baby’s untimely death. The harrowing details reveal that this incident marks the second loss of a grandchild under Tracey Nix’s care, a heartbreaking chapter in a family already shadowed by grief.
Watch as the verdict is read in the Tracey Nix trial:
Jury announces verdict in Tracey Nix manslaughter case
On that fateful day, courtroom witnesses discovered that Kaila Nix, Tracey’s daughter, had sought help from her mother, asking her to babysit while she got her hair done. As sweltering temperatures soared to 90 degrees in Wauchula, Tracey’s Lexus SUV sat parked in the yard, tightly sealed and unwelcoming. The notion of a child safely nestled inside seemed distant.
Upon her grandson’s arrival, a sudden realization struck Tracey—her infant granddaughter, Uriel, had remained alone in the locked vehicle for the entire afternoon. It was a moment steeped in horror and regret. Her husband, Nun Ney Nix, frantically rushed to perform CPR, a desperate attempt to alter an irreversible fate.
Inside the courtroom, the air hung heavy with emotion as the jury deliberated. Tears were shed, echoing the collective sorrow of loss that permeated the room. Moments after the verdict, Kaila, visibly shaken, expressed her conflicting feelings. “The daughter in me had a very hard time with her being taken,” she shared. “It isn’t something I would ever call a win for me. It is a win for justice for my daughter. The destruction that has come from this process is pretty unfathomable as well. You know, my kids are dead, but I’ve lost a lot more.”
Tracey’s attorney, William Fletcher, addressed the media following the judgment. “They did their job. They did not convict her of the aggravated manslaughter or manslaughter, which was a win. They had no choice on count 2; I never argued against it because I had nothing to argue,” he explained tersely, revealing his intent to appeal the decision.
Tracey Nix now faces a potential sentence of up to six years in prison, but Fletcher intends to pursue a motion for leniency in sentencing. A hearing is set for April 3, amplifying the ongoing saga surrounding this family tragedy.
This is a developing story that reflects the complexities of human emotions and the unforeseen consequences of a singular moment. Amid the sorrow and legal battles lies a profound reminder of the fragility of life, the intricate bonds of family, and the devastating impact of loss. The community watches closely, knowing that each person involved carries scars that may never fully heal.
“I just really want people to know how much she meant to us,” a Brooksville bride-to-be remarked, highlighting the importance of cherishing family connections in our brief time together. Unbeknownst to many, sometimes love is best expressed through simple acts, as she surprised her ailing grandmother with a special wedding ceremony well before her actual wedding date.
Brooksville bride surprises dying grandmother with special wedding ceremony
