Girl, 5, dies after being ‘left in hot car when family forgot about her’

Police have launched an investigation into the incident, which took place while temperatures hit 37C and a heat warning was in place, but have not arrested anyone

A five-year-old girl has tragically died after being left in a hot car under 37C heat, police have confirmed.

The child was sadly pronounced dead in hospital on Tuesday evening (August 18). She had been left inside the hot car for several hours, according to police in Texas.

Cops believe the little girl was left inside her family’s car when she returned home from school, but adults at the address on Redbird Drive in Garland did not realise the child was missing for several hours. When they found the girl unresponsive inside the car, they called emergency services at 8:20pm and started CPR, a statement from the police department said.

A spokesperson added: “First responders quickly arrived and continued lifesaving measures that family members had already begun. The child was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.

“Officers began investigating the circumstances leading up to the child being located and learned that an adult family member had returned home from school with the five-year-old female child and the child’s sibling. The five-year-old was left inside the vehicle.

“After realising the five-year-old was missing, family members began searching for her and located her unresponsive inside the vehicle. Family members immediately began CPR and called 9-1-1 for assistance.”

Temperatures reached 37C (100F) on Tuesday afternoon, according to meteorological data. An excess heat warning was in place for the northern part of the state at the time.

Officials warned Texans to limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, check on vulnerable neighbours, and stay hydrated. It will remain above 36C for several days to come, forecasts suggest.

Detectives are continuing to probe the child’s death, but no arrests or charges have been made at this stage. The spokesperson continued: “The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death remains active. At this time, no charges have been filed as investigators continue working to determine the complete sequence of events leading up to this tragic incident.

“As part of our standard procedures following a traumatic incident, community counseling services will be offered to the family.”