Toddler dies after being left alone in vehicle in SW Harris Co: authorities
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - An investigation is underway after a toddler was found dead inside of a vehicle on Thursday evening in Harris County, authorities said.
Authorities responded to a child left in vehicle call around 6:30 p.m. on the 8100 block of Barnes Ridge Lane.
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Sgt. Ben Beall with the Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide Division said the mother had three children, ages 5, 3, and 1, and took them to daycare on Thursday morning.
Beall said the mother dropped off the 5-year-old and 3-year-old but left the 1-year-old in the vehicle.
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Officials said the mother came home, went inside, came back out, went to exercise, and came back home.
When the mother went to get the children at the daycare, the daycare said they didn't have a record of the 1-year-old being dropped off.
Beall said the daycare employee and the parents went back to the home and located the one-year-old in the back seat of the vehicle.
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Authorities said the toddler was left in the car from about 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The toddler was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities added the mother did switch cars and there were only two car seats in the vehicle.
Beall stated authorities are working to obtain statements from the parents. He said the mother was "extremely upset" and has been detained. The father was said to not be cooperative at this time. He added there was a language issue at this point.
Beall added at this point, it does appear to be accidental, however, a thorough investigation will be completed and turned over to the District Attorney's Office for review.