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Inset: Enzo J. Peters (Merkle Funeral Home). Background: The area where Enzo and his mother lived in Michigan (Google Maps).
In a tragic case unfolding in Michigan, a 36-year-old mother has been arrested in connection with the death of her infant son. Authorities allege that she set the thermostat to 90 degrees and directed a space heater at the child while he was in his crib, resulting in his death.
Coralan Kaye-Elizabeth Peters was taken into custody earlier this month and now faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse, according to court records. These charges stem from the death of her 1-year-old son, Enzo James Peters.
Emergency responders were called to Peters’ residence on the 1000 block of East Sixth Street around 9:48 a.m. after a report of a deceased child. The Monroe News reported that upon arrival, police and medical personnel found the toddler unresponsive in his crib. Despite their efforts, he was declared dead at the scene.
Prosecutors have alleged in court documents that Peters subjected the 19-month-old to dangerously high temperatures, which they claim led to his untimely death.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Enzo’s death spanned several weeks before Peters was arrested on February 2. She was subsequently arraigned on February 4 in front of Monroe County District Judge Christian J. Horkey, who set her bond at $750,000.
A police report obtained by Toledo CBS affiliate WTOL provided some additional information about the events preceding the boy’s death.
Police at the scene reportedly noted that the inside of Peters’ home was very warm, with the heat set to 90 degrees. The bedroom where the child was found was especially hot due to multiple vents blowing hot air into the room.
In addition to the thermostat, investigators reportedly said that Peters had positioned a portable space heater in the room and had it turned to high and pointed directly at the boy’s crib. Investigators used the same make and model space heater to conduct a test, turning it to the highest setting and facing it at a crib. The inside of the crib reportedly got as hot as the mid-90s.
Authorities further noted that the home itself was in deplorable condition, reportedly finding garbage, rotting food, and dirty diapers throughout the inside.
A rough timeline showed that Enzo was put to bed at about 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 22, 2025. When someone checked on the toddler at about 2 a.m., he reportedly woke up briefly before going back to sleep. Someone in the house checked on him again at about 9:45 a.m. and found him unresponsive, WTOL reported.
A subsequent autopsy conducted by the Lucas County Coroner’s Office reportedly found that Enzo had internal and external signs indicating he suffered from a “heat-related injury” and dehydration. There was no evidence the boy suffered any blunt force trauma. A determination on the manner and cause of death remains pending as investigators await laboratory results.
Peters is currently scheduled to appear in court again on the afternoon of Feb. 19 for a probable cause conference, records show.