Latest news with #Ehrlich
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Bank of America sends a strong message on Netflix
With news of Trump's tariffs plan changing by the day and sometimes even by the hour, many investors are unsure where to place their bets as they look forward this year. While many look to Magnificent 7 stocks as reliable anchors, there's always the chance those holdings can waver. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Tesla is a perfect example. Elon Musk's famed EV company has been the darling of the automotive world for some time, and betting on his visionary outlook has been a winning strategy for many. But the stock has taken a beating since Musk went to work for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) this year, and while the billionaire has just officially ended his time in that role, Tesla has taken a beating in the interim, making many unsure whether the stock is still a good bet for the future. In the meantime, there is one stock that's been steadily growing since early 2022, and if you haven't considered it, a new note from Bank of America may make you think you should. Related: Bank of America CFO has surprising response to recession concerns In BofA's May 30 note, it had glowing praise for Netflix (NFLX) , calling the streaming company "a top performer." BofA Research Analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich attributes this to a variety of factors, including "sustained earnings momentum, positive subscriber trends (last reported subs in January, which showed massive ~19mn net adds in 4Q), and a defensive rotation related to tariffs (although less pronounced over the last month)." More Tech Stocks: Palantir gets great news from the PentagonAnalyst has blunt words on Trump's iPhone tariff plansOpenAI teams up with legendary Apple exec "We continue to view Netflix as well positioned, given the company's unmatched scale in streaming, further runway for subscriber growth, significant opportunities in advertising and sports/live, and continued earnings and FCF growth," the note continues. Related: Netflix is making an unexpected move no one saw coming Ehrlich also focused on Netflix's current and upcoming content slate, which she describes as a healthy balance between original content, ongoing franchises, finales, and live/sports content. "In our view, the return of Netflix's three most watched series - 'Squid Game' (6/27), 'Wednesday' (8/6) and 'Stranger Things (2h25)' - alongside new releases such as Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein,' Adam Sandler's 'Happy Gilmore 2' and Tina Fey's 'The Four Seasons' supports healthy retention and subscriber growth." "Finally, key live events such as boxing from Madison Square Garden (produced by Most Valuable Promotions/Jake Paul), and strong NFL Christmas Day matchups will boost Netflix's ad-supported efforts," the note reads. Ehrlich wrapped up the note by announcing that BofA would keep the Buy rating it already recommends for the stock, but make a change to the price objective change. "We reiterate our Buy rating and raise the PO to $1,490 (from $1,175 prev.) based on ~40x (equal to Netflix's current CY25E trading multiple; from ~32x prev.) CY26E EBITDA," she said. And for those who've already invested in Netflix and are watching to see it pan out, BofA has promising words. "Supported by its world-class brand, leading global subscriber scale, position as an innovator and increased visibility in growth drivers, we believe that Netflix will continue to outperform," the note reads. Related: Netflix is making a change longtime users won't like The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Epoch Times
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
‘The Sea Chase': Navigating War, Romance, and Melodrama
NR | 1h 57m | Action, Drama, War | 1955 There are some old war films that promise a good high-seas adventure. An Internet Movie Database introduction of 'The Sea Chase' (1955) offers an intriguing narrative: 'As World War II begins, German freighter Captain Karl Ehrlich tries to get his ship back to Germany through a gauntlet of Allied warships.' If the film was remotely close to the excellent ' I glanced at the credits to see who would be donning the captain's cap and barking orders in a thick German accent, and my eyebrows shot up: John Wayne. Yes, the man of the frontier and symbol of rugged Americana playing a German naval officer. I blinked a few times to make sure it wasn't a typo. This was an odd casting choice, though Marlon Brando did play a German officer in 'The Young Lions' and absolutely nailed it. (L–R) Lana Turner, Lex Barker, director John Farrow, and John Wayne on the set of "The Sea Chase." Warner Bros. A Voyage Fraught With Peril The story begins in 1939 Sydney, Australia, where Capt. Karl Ehrlich (Wayne, giving a uniquely American spin to a German seaman) finds himself stuck in port with his aging freighter, the Ergenstrasse. A former German naval officer booted out of the Navy for refusing to back the Nazis, Ehrlich loves his country but despises its new masters and figures that war is coming fast. Related Stories 10/27/2024 7/5/2024 Facing the internment of the Ergenstrasse if he stays, Ehrlich gambles everything on a daring nighttime escape through heavy fog. But before setting sail, an old friend, British Cmdr. Jeff Napier (David Farrar), pays him a visit and introduces Ehrlich to his fiancée, Elsa Keller (Lana Turner). He recognizes Elsa immediately for all the wrong reasons. Elsa's past is rather murky, and Ehrlich wastes no time warning her to break off the engagement while Napier is at headquarters or else he will. Capt. Karl Ehrlich (John Wayne) is more than a little suspicious of Elsa Keller (Lana Turner), in 'The Sea Chase.' Warner Bros. Complications only deepen when the German consul-general forces Ehrlich to take Elsa aboard as a secret passenger, revealing that she's purportedly a spy whose life is in danger. Now, the Ergenstrasse slips into the vast Pacific, where every mile becomes a fight for survival; fuel runs low and the formidable British Navy hunts the freighter. 'The Sea Chase' is a film of intriguing contradictions. At its best, it captures the tension of life at sea during wartime. At its worst, it slips into melodrama that feels locked inside a studio. Director John Farrow's deliberate pacing, often criticized, actually fits the material. The long stretches of waiting, tense refueling stops, and grim crises like a rat infestation (solved ingeniously with spoiled meat on the ropes) build a steady, believable suspense. When a sailor falls victim to a shark attack and later succumbs to gangrene, the helplessness of the crew is portrayed with brutal honesty. Melodrama on Deck Capt. Karl Ehrlich (John Wayne, L) and Schlieter (James Arness), in 'The Sea Chase.' Warner Bros. The film's best moments, particularly during the early sequences, capture the rough, exhausting life aboard ships, where every decision and every movement feels burdened by the uncertainty of the mission. The cinematography stands out, with sweeping shots of the ship at sea, the harsh waves seeming to reflect the emotional turbulence of the characters. The isolation of being on the water is palpable. Farrow's pacing, often drawn-out, mirrors the endless waiting and unpredictability of life at sea. It's in these moments of reflection that the film creates a genuine sense of unease. The film sometimes falters under its own studio constraints. Despite strong direction in moments of tension, the film often veers into clichéd, overly theatrical territory. Turner, whose chemistry with Wayne is lukewarm, highlights the struggle between character development and forced romance. The script, credited to multiple writers, doesn't help. Subplots, like the romantic jealousy of Farrar's character and the cartoonish Nazi villain, don't resolve in any meaningful way. 'The Sea Chase' is a visually striking naval adventure, with breathtaking location shots that truly immerse the audience in its setting. While the film delivers the sense of tension aboard the ship, it's somewhat held back by melodramatic elements that are often seen in films of its era. 'The Sea Chase' is available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube. 'The Sea Chase' Director: John Farrow Starring: John Wayne, Lana Turner, David Farrar Not Rated Running time: 1 hour, 57 minutes Release Date: June 4, 1955 Rated: 3 stars out of 5 What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Oscar-winning director reveals the secret lives of pangolins
Editor's Note: Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series committed to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet, together with the solutions. Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action. Pangolins have two claims to fame: first, that they are the world's only scaly mammal, and second, they are one of the most trafficked animals globally. Beyond that, most people know very little about them. But the new Netflix documentary 'Pangolin: Kulu's Journey,' hopes to change that. The 90-minute film follows the story of a three-month-old ground pangolin, Kulu, who is rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, and the slow, intensive process to return him to the wild in South Africa. 'Kulu's got an incredible personality, he's very much his own pangolin,' says director Pippa Ehrlich, best known for the Oscar-winning documentary 'My Octopus Teacher.' 'He's incredibly stubborn, determined to go where he wants to go, not that keen to have this strange two-legged creature following him around everywhere he goes,' she adds. The two-legged creature in question is Gareth Thomas, a conservation volunteer who took part in the sting operation that rescued Kulu. Rehabilitating rescued pangolins is an 'incredibly intensive process,' says Ehrlich: they rarely eat in captivity so they require daily walks, sometimes up to six hours a day, to feed on ants and termites. These daily walks aren't just for feeding: they are also getting the pangolin ready for the sights, sounds, and smells of its new habitat, and helping it overcome the trauma of captivity. 'The rehabilitation team asked (Gareth) if he would take Kulu into the wild and set him free. And I don't know if he realized that that was going to be the next 18 months of his life,' says Ehrlich. The film follows the duo into the wild savanna of Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, a four-hour drive from Johannesburg, immersing the viewer in the world of pangolins. 'They've got a magical quality; they are a mammal but they're covered in scales,' says Ehrlich. 'You just don't want pangolins to be seen only as the world's most trafficked mammal. You want them to be seen as these joyful, unique, special little creatures.' The ground pangolin, also known as Temminck's pangolin or the Cape pangolin, is one of eight species found globally, and the most widely distributed of the four species in Africa, with a territory ranging from South Africa to Sudan. When Kulu arrived at the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, staff called him Gijima, which means 'to run' in Zulu, as the severely underweight yet feisty pangolin was constantly trying to run away during his feeding walks. It was during the six-month stint in the savanna that Thomas nicknamed the pangolin Kulu, a variant of the word for 'easy' in Zulu, to try to soothe him. Thomas grew up spending summers in the wilderness in South Africa and Zimbabwe, where he was born; but after school, he became 'detached' from nature, instead spending most of his time in the city. 'I had a bit of a yearning to be out there again,' he recalls. So in 2019, after picking up wildlife photography, he started volunteering with the African Pangolin Working Group and the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital. Thomas' self-shot footage of the pangolins was pivotal to the film, says Ehrlich: Pangolins are incredibly sensitive creatures, so Ehrlich says the production team had limited shooting days and relied heavily on Thomas for videos of the rehabilitation process and close-ups of Kulu. 'I realized, he has a very deep bond with these animals, and he understands them,' says Ehrlich. 'He understands how to get this very intimate footage, which almost makes you feel like you're seeing the world through the eyes of a pangolin.' While viewers will likely observe thematic similarities between 'My Octopus Teacher' and 'Kulu's Journey' — both explore human-wildlife relationships and our emotional connection with nature— Ehrlich says the drastically different ecosystems changed her approach to the film. 'One of the things that was so compelling about (My Octopus Teacher) is that you're going underwater, and that immediately takes you into this other universe,' she explains. 'Being in the terrestrial world, even if you don't know the bush, it is way more relatable.' The biggest threat to the pangolins is poaching for the $20-billion illegal wildlife trade, where their scales, meat and body parts are sold for traditional medicine, and their skins used for leather products. According to NGO Traffic, pangolins are largely trafficked to China and the US. With three of the four Asian species critically endangered, and difficulty breeding pangolins in captivity, poaching has increased in Africa: between 2017 and 2019, more than half of illegal pangolin seizures in Asia were from African pangolin species, accounting for 244,600 kilograms of scales and 10,971 individual animals. Ray Jansen, the co-founder of the African Pangolin Working Group, who features in the documentary, has witnessed the scale of this threat firsthand: the zoologist-turned-sting operative helped rescue 301 live pangolins, including Kulu, between 2016 and 2024, leading to the arrest of nearly 700 wildlife traffickers. Prior to 2017, Jansen says arrests in South Africa were met with meager fines, rather than jail time. But in recent years, conservationists like Jansen began providing expert witness testimony in court, resulting in sentences of up to 10 years. 'It sent out a huge warning message to these traffickers about pangolins,' Jansen says, adding that while he's observed a decrease in 'opportunistic' poaching in the country, 'sophisticated' organized crime networks continue to traffic for the international trade. Pangolins rescued from the wildlife trade are incredibly difficult to treat and rehabilitate, says Dr. Karin Lourens, the co-founder and head veterinarian of the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, the first hospital in South Africa to treat pangolins (all pangolins are kept off-site in an undisclosed location). 'Because they haven't eaten, they don't have enough protein,' says Lourens, adding that this then causes a build-up of fluid in their lungs. 'Then, their pancreas stops working, so they can't digest food either.' 'It was a steep learning curve in the beginning,' says Lourens, adding she had no medical guidelines for the first ground pangolins in the hospital, but over the years, the survival rate has soared from 40% to 80%. The film crew also worked with Lapalala Wilderness, the 48,000-hectare reserve where Kulu was ultimately released, to secure filming permits and coordinate with the on-site anti-poaching unit to ensure safety for the pangolins and those transporting them. While poachers are an unavoidable topic when talking about pangolins, Ehrlich made the deliberate choice to highlight the emotional side of the little-known creatures. 'You've got to be careful about anthropomorphism, and I'm sure that's the criticism that we're going to get,' Ehrlich says. Lourens said she would have preferred for the documentary to focus on Africa's pangolin trade, something she says is 'sorely needed.' She also expressed concern about Kulu's overexposure to people during filming. Ehrlich says Thomas was 'incredibly strict' about when the additional videographers could film; 'I think I only did two shoots with Kulu, most of the time it was just Gareth and him,' she adds. Initially, Jansen too wanted the film to focus on the wildlife trade, a subject close to his heart — but after viewing the documentary, he changed his mind. 'It's a much, much better angle to focus on,' he says. 'I'm hoping that it spreads a huge awareness, and the world can fall in love with these incredible creatures.' While poaching remains a major threat for pangolins globally, Jansen says electric fences in game reserves are now 'responsible for the large majority of Temminck's pangolin deaths' in South Africa, illustrated in one terrifying scene when Kulu nearly runs straight into one, saved at the last minute by Thomas. Together with Thomas and Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, Jansen is working on a large-scale electric fence study and exploring new designs that could save wildlife. And a new 'pangolarium,' operated by the African Pangolin Working Group at Lapalala Wilderness, opened earlier this year — a kind of halfway house for pangolins between hospital and release, and a networking hub for conservationists. While it can house multiple pangolins, each one will still need its own dedicated walker for its daily mealtime. Despite global conservation efforts, pangolin numbers are in decline, with all eight species considered vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered by the IUCN. 'Pangolins really are a symbol of the fragility that we see in one another and in nature all around us,' says Ehrlich. She hopes audiences will connect with Kulu's story, and be moved to protect them and their environment: 'There is just nothing else like a pangolin.'
USA Today
14-04-2025
- USA Today
'Where is your baby?': A familiar tragedy strikes US for the first time in 2025
'Where is your baby?': A familiar tragedy strikes US for the first time in 2025 Show Caption Hide Caption Tips on surviving extreme heat With record-breaking heat waves impacting millions, learn the essential tips on how to stay safe amidst extreme temperatures. Moshe Ehrlich, a 35-year-old student, described a hectic morning on the day he forgot his infant son was in the minivan while he went to class. Ehrlich told police he had a system to remind himself that the baby was in the car, but it failed on this occasion. The baby was left in the minivan for approximately 2.5 hours, with the internal temperature of the vehicle reaching 96.2 degrees. LAKEWOOD, N.J. – Moshe Ehrlich told police he had long feared forgetting and leaving one of his six children in the car before precisely that happened in March, resulting in the death of his 4-month-old son in the family minivan, according to a court record. Ehrlich, 35, told investigators he had acquired several methods to remind him that the baby was in the car. One such method included placing his hat on the front passenger seat while he was driving as a reminder. On March 18, doing so made no difference, he said, according to the affidavit. Details about the circumstances surrounding the baby's last hours were outlined in an affidavit of probable cause that led to Ehrlich's arrest on a charge of child endangerment two days later on March 20. A student at a local religious school, Ehrlich described a disrupted and hurried morning before he went to his yeshiva to begin his studies. The child, whose name was redacted in the charging documents requested by the Asbury Park Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, under the state's Open Public Records Act, had been left in the car for about 2½-hours while Ehrlich was in the Jewish school. The baby was the first child to die in a hot car in 2025, according to data collected by Kids and Car Safety, which tracks such deaths and advocates for preventative measures. Dozens of children tragically perish each year in cars that quickly heat up when left in the hot sun, even if the temperatures don't feel hot out. Many of the children are left by parents unknowingly, according to the organization. The temperature inside the Ehrlich family's car was recorded at 96.2 degrees at 3:45 p.m. that day, even though the air temperature outside in Lakewood, New Jersey, was 67.8 degrees, the affidavit said. 'Where is your baby?' What happened that day Faiga Ehrlich, Ehrlich's wife and the mother of the victim, told police that her husband – who was normally responsible for dropping off three of their children each morning at school or at a sitter's – had been tasked on that day with chauffeuring a fourth child after their 6-year-old missed the school bus, the affidavit said. Faiga Ehrlich left for work at 9:30 a.m. while her husband was getting the children dressed and ready for daycare. Moshe Ehrlich loaded them into the family's Toyota Sienna. The baby is normally dropped off at the sitter's house first, but when Ehrlich reached that destination, he discovered he had forgotten the infant's milk. Before returning home to retrieve the milk, he decided to drop off the 4- and 2-year-olds at daycare and the 6-year-old at school. He then returned home, ran inside, fetched the milk and some other things he needed, and returned to the car. But instead of driving back to the sitter's house, he drove to his next destination, the religious school, forgetting to drop off the baby altogether, according to the criminal complaint. He parked and went into the yeshiva at about 11 a.m. At 1:30 p.m., he was told he had a call on the family emergency line. On his way to take the call, which was from his wife who was phoning after hearing from the babysitter, he was stopped by Zevi Kitay, the 19-year-old son of the babysitter, who had come looking for Moshe Ehrlich at the school. "Where is your baby?" Kitay asked him. Moshe Ehrlich told police he gathered his belongings and ran to the car, removed his baby and called Hatzolah of Central Jersey, an ambulance service in Lakewood. The baby was taken to a medical center and pronounced dead at 2:40 p.m. At that time, a major criminal investigation launched into the boy's death. A virtual autopsy, a noninvasive autopsy conducted using scans, was conducted about 6:30 that night, at which point a determination was made that a full post-mortem autopsy was necessary for the investigation. There did not appear to be any trauma to the baby's body and a cause of death could not be determined until 'cultures' taken could be tested, all according to the affidavit. Results are pending. Moshe Ehrlich was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. How kids get left in hot cars The news that a child has perished in a hot car usually sends shockwaves through the local community and can make national headlines. Spectators wonder how a parent could forget their child. These type of deaths most often happen when a parent or caregiver has a change in routine, or parents miscommunicate with each other over who's in charge of taking the baby inside, and it isn't discovered until it's much too late, Kids and Car Safety founder Janette Fennell previously told USA TODAY. It's important to be aware of the danger, because a deadly mistake can be made by any parent at any time, Fennell said. The same brain mechanism that causes someone to leave their cup of coffee on top of their car and drive away also causes someone to leave a child behind, Fennell said. In many cases, a change in routine – like a parent who doesn't normally do daycare drop-off – and a brain operating on autopilot leads to the tragedy. Other times, kids get into cars by themselves while parents think they are down for a nap or playing safely, and they become trapped. Armani Shoemaker, 3, died May 3, 2024, after slipping out of her family home and into an unlocked car in Columbia, South Carolina, authorities said. In 2024, there were 40 child deaths in hot cars in the U.S. from May to November. The most common months for the deaths are June, July and August when sweltering temperatures grip much of the nation. The tragedy has struck the families of over 1,100 kids since 1990, according to Kids and Car Safety. At least 7,500 other children have survived with injuries. "In most situations, this happens to loving, caring, and protective parents," the group's website says. "It has happened to a teacher, dentist, social worker, police officer, nurse, clergyman, soldier, and even a rocket scientist. It can happen to anyone." Still, local authorities have discretion in whether to bring charges against parents who leave their kids in cars. A key question is whether they did it knowingly, though parents who say they accidentally left their child are still sometimes charged. More than half of hot car death cases didn't result in a conviction between 1990 and 2020, according to an analysis by Kids and Car Safety. And about 41% of parents who unknowingly left their child in a car aren't charged. Tips to avoid a tragic accident Never intentionally leave a child in a car alone, even if you think you'll only be gone for a few minutes, experts say. To prevent a child from getting into a car on their own, always keep vehicles locked when not in use, make sure keys are kept out of reach. Ask neighbors to lock their cars, Fennell suggested. Here's what experts say you should do to prevent a tragic accident: Place a visual reminder that your child is with you, such as a diaper bag, in the front seat. Put an important item you need to start your day in the back seat, such as your cell phone, and make it a habit to always open the back door when you get out of the car. Ask your childcare providers to call you if your child isn't dropped off as scheduled, because parents sometimes think they have dropped their child off and go to work, accidentally leaving them in their car seats all day. Fennell also said a tip she likes to give is to keep a stuffed animal in your child's car seat at all times. When your child is put in the seat, the stuffed animal goes on the front passenger seat as a visual reminder. HOW TECH CAN HELP: Technology in cars can alert when a child is left Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at elarsen@
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
'Where is your baby?': A familiar tragedy strikes US for the first time in 2025
LAKEWOOD, N.J. – Moshe Ehrlich told police he had long feared forgetting and leaving one of his six children in the car before precisely that happened in March, resulting in the death of his 4-month-old son in the family minivan, according to a court record. Ehrlich, 35, told investigators he had acquired several methods to remind him that the baby was in the car. One such method included placing his hat on the front passenger seat while he was driving as a reminder. On March 18, doing so made no difference, he said, according to the affidavit. Details about the circumstances surrounding the baby's last hours were outlined in an affidavit of probable cause that led to Ehrlich's arrest on a charge of child endangerment two days later on March 20. A student at a local religious school, Ehrlich described a disrupted and hurried morning before he went to his yeshiva to begin his studies. The child, whose name was redacted in the charging documents requested by the Asbury Park Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, under the state's Open Public Records Act, had been left in the car for about 2½-hours while Ehrlich was in the Jewish school. The baby was the first child to die in a hot car in 2025, according to data collected by Kids and Car Safety, which tracks such deaths and advocates for preventative measures. Dozens of children tragically perish each year in cars that quickly heat up when left in the hot sun, even if the temperatures don't feel hot out. Many of the children are left by parents unknowingly, according to the organization. The temperature inside the Ehrlich family's car was recorded at 96.2 degrees at 3:45 p.m. that day, even though the air temperature outside in Lakewood, New Jersey, was 67.8 degrees, the affidavit said. Faiga Ehrlich, Ehrlich's wife and the mother of the victim, told police that her husband – who was normally responsible for dropping off three of their children each morning at school or at a sitter's – had been tasked on that day with chauffeuring a fourth child after their 6-year-old missed the school bus, the affidavit said. Faiga Ehrlich left for work at 9:30 a.m. while her husband was getting the children dressed and ready for daycare. Moshe Ehrlich loaded them into the family's Toyota Sienna. The baby is normally dropped off at the sitter's house first, but when Ehrlich reached that destination, he discovered he had forgotten the infant's milk. Before returning home to retrieve the milk, he decided to drop off the 4- and 2-year-olds at daycare and the 6-year-old at school. He then returned home, ran inside, fetched the milk and some other things he needed, and returned to the car. But instead of driving back to the sitter's house, he drove to his next destination, the religious school, forgetting to drop off the baby altogether, according to the criminal complaint. He parked and went into the yeshiva at about 11 a.m. At 1:30 p.m., he was told he had a call on the family emergency line. On his way to take the call, which was from his wife who was phoning after hearing from the babysitter, he was stopped by Zevi Kitay, the 19-year-old son of the babysitter, who had come looking for Moshe Ehrlich at the school. "Where is your baby?" Kitay asked him. Moshe Ehrlich told police he gathered his belongings and ran to the car, removed his baby and called Hatzolah of Central Jersey, an ambulance service in Lakewood. The baby was taken to a medical center and pronounced dead at 2:40 p.m. At that time, a major criminal investigation launched into the boy's death. A virtual autopsy, a noninvasive autopsy conducted using scans, was conducted about 6:30 that night, at which point a determination was made that a full post-mortem autopsy was necessary for the investigation. There did not appear to be any trauma to the baby's body and a cause of death could not be determined until 'cultures' taken could be tested, all according to the affidavit. Results are pending. Moshe Ehrlich was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. The news that a child has perished in a hot car usually sends shockwaves through the local community and can make national headlines. Spectators wonder how a parent could forget their child. These type of deaths most often happen when a parent or caregiver has a change in routine, or parents miscommunicate with each other over who's in charge of taking the baby inside, and it isn't discovered until it's much too late, Kids and Car Safety founder Janette Fennell previously told USA TODAY. It's important to be aware of the danger, because a deadly mistake can be made by any parent at any time, Fennell said. The same brain mechanism that causes someone to leave their cup of coffee on top of their car and drive away also causes someone to leave a child behind, Fennell said. In many cases, a change in routine – like a parent who doesn't normally do daycare drop-off – and a brain operating on autopilot leads to the tragedy. Other times, kids get into cars by themselves while parents think they are down for a nap or playing safely, and they become trapped. Armani Shoemaker, 3, died May 3, 2024, after slipping out of her family home and into an unlocked car in Columbia, South Carolina, authorities said. In 2024, there were 40 child deaths in hot cars in the U.S. from May to November. The most common months for the deaths are June, July and August when sweltering temperatures grip much of the nation. The tragedy has struck the families of over 1,100 kids since 1990, according to Kids and Car Safety. At least 7,500 other children have survived with injuries. "In most situations, this happens to loving, caring, and protective parents," the group's website says. "It has happened to a teacher, dentist, social worker, police officer, nurse, clergyman, soldier, and even a rocket scientist. It can happen to anyone." Still, local authorities have discretion in whether to bring charges against parents who leave their kids in cars. A key question is whether they did it knowingly, though parents who say they accidentally left their child are still sometimes charged. More than half of hot car death cases didn't result in a conviction between 1990 and 2020, according to an analysis by Kids and Car Safety. And about 41% of parents who unknowingly left their child in a car aren't charged. Never intentionally leave a child in a car alone, even if you think you'll only be gone for a few minutes, experts say. To prevent a child from getting into a car on their own, always keep vehicles locked when not in use, make sure keys are kept out of reach. Ask neighbors to lock their cars, Fennell suggested. Here's what experts say you should do to prevent a tragic accident: Place a visual reminder that your child is with you, such as a diaper bag, in the front seat. Put an important item you need to start your day in the back seat, such as your cell phone, and make it a habit to always open the back door when you get out of the car. Ask your childcare providers to call you if your child isn't dropped off as scheduled, because parents sometimes think they have dropped their child off and go to work, accidentally leaving them in their car seats all day. Fennell also said a tip she likes to give is to keep a stuffed animal in your child's car seat at all times. When your child is put in the seat, the stuffed animal goes on the front passenger seat as a visual reminder. HOW TECH CAN HELP: Technology in cars can alert when a child is left Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at elarsen@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: First US hot car death of 2025: Tragedy strikes in New Jersey
