New York father who left one-year-old twins in car said he 'blanked out'

Juan Rodriguez with one of the twins on a family day out. Photo / Facebook

A New York father who left his 1-year-old twins in the car while he worked an eight-hour shift told police, "I blanked out. My babies are dead. I killed my babies," prosecutors said Saturday.

Juan Rodriguez told the officers he thought he had dropped the twins off at day care before he went to his job at a Bronx hospital on Friday, according to a criminal complaint filed by the district attorney's office.

The 39-year-old Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to two counts each of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of a child. He was ordered held on $100,000 bond or $50,000 cash bail.

Shocked neighbors have described Rodriguez as a devoted father. Photo / Facebook

Investigators believe Rodriguez parked a silver Honda Accord with the twins, Phoenix and Luna, in carseats in the back. It appeared that he drove off after finishing work before realising the children were in the car and frantically summoning help, police said.

The boy and girl were pronounced dead at the scene.

A message seeking comment was left with Rodriguez's attorney. He is due back in court Aug. 1.

There's an average of 39 heatstroke deaths of children locked in cars nationwide per year, according to kidsandcars.org , a website that tracks the deaths. It says as of July 16, there had been 21 this year.

A cause of death for the twins hasn't yet been determined.

Rodriguez is pictured with his wife and other family members shortly after the births of Luna and Phoenix. Photo / Facebook

Temperatures in the Bronx reached the mid-80s on Friday.

Police earlier identified the female twin as Mariza.

- AP