TUCSON, AZ – A horrific incident occurred in the Paseo Rancho Acero neighborhood of Marana, near Tucson, where a 2-year-old girl was found unresponsive inside a vehicle amidst Arizona’s record-breaking heat. Despite emergency efforts, the child later died at a local hospital.
The incident unfolded Tuesday when temperatures in the Tucson area soared to 111 degrees. According to the Marana Police Department, the girl’s father said he left her in the car with the air conditioning running while he briefly went inside the house. Upon returning, he found the vehicle turned off and the child in distress, prompting a 911 call.
Captain Tim Brunenkant of the Marana Police explained, “He left the child in the car. The car was running; the AC was operational. We are trying to determine how long he was in the house, at what time the car may have shut off or the AC stopped working.”
As detectives continue to interview the father to determine the circumstances surrounding the event, no criminal charges have been filed yet. This incident has sparked further investigation into whether this was an unfortunate mistake or if there were any preventable factors involved.
This heartbreaking incident marks Arizona’s first hot car death of the year. According to Kids & Car Safety, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing child injuries and deaths, Arizona ranks fourth in the country for child hot car fatalities, with an estimated 47 children dying under such circumstances in the state to date.
The community and local authorities urge caregivers to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant about leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during the hot summer months.