Girl, 2, dies after being left in the back seat of a car in Annandale

By Dana Hedgpeth April 21 at 7:29 AM
A 2-year-old girl died after she was left in a car by a caretaker in Annandale, authorities said.

The preliminary investigation indicated that a man, described as an acquaintance of the girl’s mother, was supposed to drop her three children off at two locations Wednesday, said police in Fairfax County.

The man dropped off two older children, ages 10 and 15. He then went back to a home in Fairfax, “not realizing that the 2-year-old remained on the back seat of the car,” according to a police statement.

At some point later, police said, the man drove the car to pick up the mother of the children in Arlington County. He then “looked in the back seat area of the car and saw the child,” police said.

The girl was unresponsive and he called 911. Police, rescuers and officials from Arlington and Fairfax counties responded.

The medical examiner will determine the manner and cause of the 2-year-old’s death.

Police officials said the county’s Child Protective Services division is involved in the case. The two older children are staying with a relative pending the investigation.

Authorities said no arrest has been made and no charges have been filed at this time. The man’s name was not immediately disclosed.

Detectives will consult with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County “for a determination of criminal liability,” according to police.

Anyone with information is asked to call 866-411-8477.