A FAMILY CELEBRATION TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE — THEO SABO, 5, DIED AFTER BEING LEFT INSIDE A HOT CAR

What was supposed to be a joyful family celebration in Peoria, Arizona, ended in unimaginable heartbreak when a 5-year-old boy was found unresponsive inside a vehicle.

Theo Sabo, 5, died on Sept. 13 after spending more than two hours inside his family’s vehicle as temperatures in the area climbed above 100°F.

His parents, Mihail Sabo and Anca Sabo, have since been arrested and charged with negligent homicide and child abuse. Authorities say the investigation indicates a miscommunication within the family over who would remove Theo from the vehicle.

THE DAY BEGAN WITH A CELEBRATION

According to police, the Sabo family returned home at approximately 1 p.m. after attending a church baptism celebration for another child.

The family then gathered at their Peoria home, where dozens of relatives and friends were reportedly celebrating together.

But amid the activity, investigators say Theo remained inside the family vehicle.

At approximately 3:45 p.m., family members realized the little boy was missing and began searching for him.

His mother eventually found him unresponsive inside the vehicle.

She pulled him from the car and began CPR while emergency responders were called.

Theo was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died.

A PAINFUL MISUNDERSTANDING

Investigators say the case appears to have involved a miscommunication between family members about who would get Theo out of the vehicle.

According to court reporting, Mihail Sabo told investigators that he believed the task had been given to their 14-year-old son.

The teenager, however, reportedly told investigators that he did not remember being asked to remove Theo from the vehicle.

Police have described the situation as a tragic breakdown in communication, but prosecutors argue that the circumstances warrant criminal charges.

The family’s defense attorney has argued that Theo’s death was a devastating accident and that his parents never intended for their son to be harmed.

PARENTS FACE CHARGES

Following the investigation, both parents were arrested and charged with negligent homicide and child abuse.

A judge found probable cause for the case to proceed and set $150,000 bonds for each parent.

The court also imposed restrictions involving contact between the couple and their other children. They were allowed supervised visitation with their other children under the court’s conditions.

The couple is scheduled to return to court as the legal process continues.

“THEO WAS DEEPLY LOVED”

A fundraiser established for the Sabo family described Theo as a deeply loved child whose life would never be forgotten.

The money is intended to help the family with funeral and memorial expenses and other costs while they cope with the loss.

Theo’s death has also left a painful question hanging over the family: how could a simple misunderstanding during a day of celebration end with a little boy never making it back inside?

For the Sabo family, the celebration that began with a baptism became a day they will never forget.

Theo was only five years old.

His family is now grieving a child they say was deeply loved, while the courts determine what legal responsibility, if any, his parents should bear for the tragedy.