Baby Boy Dies Day After Being Left in Car in
Pinecrest
By Darryl Forges
A 1-year-old boy who was left inside a car in
Pinecrest Monday afternoon has died.
Miami-Dade Police confirmed to NBC 6 that the baby,
Samuel Schnall, died Tuesday morning at Baptist Hospital.
Miami-Dade Police say the boy was left inside a blue
Toyota Camry in the area of Southwest 124th Terrace and 77th Avenue Monday
afternoon. Rescue workers said the child was in the car for more than an hour on
a day where temperatures reached 82 degrees.
"This child had been out and about with a family
member throughout the day, upon returning here the child was left in the
vehicle," said Miami-Dade Police Det. Jennifer Capote. Police say the family
member was not a parent of the child.
Investigators believe the family member walked inside
the house and left the toddler behind. When authorities arrived around 3:15
p.m., the child was responsive and breathing.
NBC 6 tried to speak with the homeowner Tuesday but he
drove off, and at the front of the door was a sign asking media to stay off the
property.
Neighbors said they believe the owner of the home is a
nice person and works at Miami Dade College. The Department of Children and
Families said they are investigating the incident but has not had any prior
contact with the family.
"This is a horrific situation for the family members
involved, for the parents of this child, as well as the police department and
the officers who found the child," Det. Capote said.