A baby that was removed from a car in Fullerton was pronounced dead at the scene on July 8. According to a City News Service report, police were called to the 400 block of West Wilshire Avenue about a child left in a vehicle. When officers arrived, the infant had been removed from the car.
Officers and paramedics attempted to revive the child but were unable to do so. Police were working to determine if the child whose gender and age was not released, was left in the car alone. The infant was under 2, officials said. The baby’s relatives were at the scene and cooperating with investigators. According to National Weather Service records, temperatures in Fullerton were in the low 80s on July 8th. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this incident.
Hot Car Deaths
As we head into the summer season, we begin to see more and more disturbing instances of young children being left in hot cars. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the number of child hot car deaths for 2020 is currently at eight. On average, 39 children under the age of 15 die each year from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle. Nearly every state has experienced at least one death since 1998 and in 2018, a record number of 53 children died after being left in a hot vehicle closely following in 2019 by 52 deaths.
According to the website kidsandcars.org, caregivers involved in these incidents come from many walks of life. They include teachers, dentists, social workers, law enforcement, nurses, clergymen, military officers, and even a rocket scientist. These tragic cases can happen to anyone, regardless of their education or socioeconomic status.
Preventing These Tragic Deaths
Our California personal injury lawyers have been committed to getting the word out about preventing child deaths in hot cars. These tragic deaths are entirely preventable.
Here are a few tips:
- Never leave children alone in cars – not even for a minute.
- Put something you’ll need, like your cell phone or purse, on the floorboard in the back seat.
- Get in the habit of always opening the back door of your vehicle every time you reach your destination to make sure your child is not left behind in the back seat.
- Keep a large stuffed animal in the child’s car seat when it’s not occupied. It’s a visual reminder that your child is in the back seat.
- Make arrangements with your child’s daycare center or babysitter that you will always call if your child won’t attend on a particular day as scheduled.
If your child has been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, please contact an experienced California personal injury attorney to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2020/07/08/fullerton-police-investigating-after-baby-is-removed-from-car-and-pronounced-dead/