2-year-old dies after being left in car for 6 hours

A 2-year-old left in the rear seat of an automobile for an estimated 6 hours died over the weekend of presumed heat exposure.

The child was discovered deceased in the rear seats of “a coach-style van” about 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the Winchester Hills subdivision near St. George, the Washington County Constable’s Office stated. The name of the kid has not been revealed.

The outside temperature level in St. George at that time was roughly 106 degrees.

Investigators estimated the kid had been in the car for a minimum of 6 hours, based on interviews with witnesses and member of the family, the sheriff’s office stated.

The incident occurred while numerous households from out of state were going to a family reunion. The reunion included over 5 families and 25 to 30 kids, the constable’s office stated.

The families had traveled to St. George utilizing multiple lorries. When they returned to the Winchester Hills area, the adults prepared “for a religious meeting” in St. George, according to the statement.

“It was believed the child had fallen asleep during the return trip and did not exit the car with the other kids and adults. This was unknown to the adults as they got ready for their meeting. As the adult relative returned home, they noticed the child was not present and began browsing the home and surrounding areas. The kid was then discovered by the dad in the van,” the sheriff’s workplace specified.

Investigators said the incident seems “a tragic accident.” It will be screened by the Washington County Attorney’s Office as a matter of procedure, the constable’s office stated.

More than 800 kids have passed away from heat stroke in hot cars since 1990, the nonprofit group kidsandcars.org notes.