2-year-old left in hot car dies
ST.
GEORGE, Utah (ABC4 Utah)- Police in Washington County
are investigating after they say a two-year-old died
after they were left in a hot car.
Officials say
it happened Saturday in Winchester Hills.
According to police, the child was in a van with several
other family members when they fell asleep but nobody
noticed.
"As the adult family members returned
home they noticed the child was not present and began
searching the residence and surrounding areas. The child
was then discovered by the father in the van," a press
release from Washington County Sheriff's Office said.
Police say the child was part of a family in town
for a family reunion.
"Several families were
temporarily residing at the home while participating in
the reunion events which included more than five
families and between 25 and 35 children," the press
release said.
The families jumped in multiple
vehicles for an activity in St. George. They say the
child fell asleep on the way back to the home in
Winchester Hills where they were all staying. The adults
were preparing for a "religious meeting" and didn't
realize the child was still in the van, police say.
The investigation is ongoing and will be screened by
the Washington County Attorney's Office for potential
criminal liability, but they say it appears the incident
was a tragic accident.