Tracey Nix, a 67-year-old former school principal from Hardee County, Florida, has been at the center of tragic events involving the deaths of her two grandchildren while under her care.
In December 2021, Nix was babysitting her 16-month-old grandson, Ezra Schock, when he wandered into a pond near her home and drowned. Authorities did not file charges in this case, citing insufficient evidence of culpable negligence.
Less than a year later, in November 2022, Nix was caring for her 7-month-old granddaughter, Uriel Schock. After returning home from lunch with friends, Nix left Uriel in her SUV and went inside to practice piano. Temperatures that day reached the 90s, and Uriel was later found unresponsive in the vehicle. Nix was charged with aggravated manslaughter in connection with Uriel's death.
In January 2025, a jury found Nix not guilty of aggravated manslaughter but convicted her of the lesser charge of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle causing great bodily harm. On April 3, 2025, she was sentenced to five years in prison.
During court proceedings, Nix's husband testified that she had "mourned in silence" after Uriel's death. Her attorney indicated plans to appeal the conviction, citing factors such as medication that may have affected Nix's memory.
The children's mother, Kaila Nix, expressed a desire for accountability, stating, "I want justice for my son. I want justice because he didn’t get that."
This case has drawn significant attention and sparked discussions about child safety and the responsibilities of caregivers.