Mother of Toddler Who Died Inside Hot Car Also Researched How Such Fatalities Occur, Police Say

Leanna Harris — the mother of the 22-month-old boy who died after his father left him in a hot vehicle for seven hours on June 18 — told authorities she researched such deaths and how they occur, CNN reported Sunday, citing a police affidavit.

This news comes a day after a report that her husband, Justin Ross Harris, told police he used the Internet to research child deaths related to temperature inside vehicles, CNN reported, citing a search warrant.

Justin Ross Harris and Leanna Harris (Image source: CNN)

The affidavit concerning Leanna Harris indicates that during questioning she "made similar statements regarding researching in car deaths and how it occurs," the document stated, CNN said.

On Saturday Leanna Harris told attendees at the funeral for her son that she isn't angry with her husband, who pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and second-degree child cruelty in death of Cooper Harris.

Cooper Harris (Image source: CNN)

Harris couldn’t leave Cobb County Jail to attend his son’s funeral, but he called in and addressed the attendees on speakerphone, CNN reported.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for my boy,” he said. “Good life. (Inaudible) No words to say. Just horrible. (Inaudible) I’m just sorry I can’t be there.” He then told the crowd he loved them and started crying again.

Then Leanna Harris spoke: ”First of all Ross, I love you and I’m doing this for you, OK? Two years ago when we welcomed a 6-pound, 8-ounce perfect baby into the world, this never crossed my mind.”

Leanna Harris said her faith is sustaining her and her husband through the loss of their son, CNN noted.

“Some of you might wonder how I’m even standing here today. I wonder that myself, and I asked myself that question over and over the last week,” she said.

“I should be crumpled into a heap of snot and tears into the dirt, but the Lord is holding me up right now. He is holding Ross up. And he is holding both of us up when we can’t hold ourselves up.”

Police said Harris told them on the day his son died he forgot to drop him off at the day-care center before going to work.