Colquitt County child dies in hot car

MOULTRIE, Ga. — A 21-month-old child died Tuesday after being shut in an SUV at his parents’ house on Tommy Meredith Road.

Damian Elias Leyva, son of Yaniel and Maria Linda Leyva, was pronounced dead at Colquitt Regional Medical Center’s emergency room.

Colquitt County deputies responded to the emergency room about 8 p.m. Tuesday.

“Everything appears the child succumbed to heat exhaustion,” Sheriff’s investigator Austin Cannon said.

Cannon said there was a 30- to 45-minute gap between the last time the parents saw Damian and when they found him inside the SUV.

Colquitt County Coroner Verlyn Brock said it appeared to have been a tragic accident, but he said tests are being conducted that will shed more light on the situation.