SANTEE, Calif. — A two-month-old baby died after being left in a parked car in Santee, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said Wednesday.
The Sheriff's Child Abuse Unit is investigating the death.
A family member called 9-1-1 after finding the baby girl unresponsive in a parked SUV on Thursday, June 13 in the 10000 block of Settle Road, according to the Sheriff's Department. The car had been parked outside the house for several hours.
Deputies with the Santee Sheriff's Station and paramedics with the Santee Fire Department gave the infant life-saving measures before the girl was taken to Sharp Grossmont Hospital, where she later died.
It is illegal to leave a child alone in a car, including when the engine is running or the key is in the ignition.
In 2000, a 6-month-old named Kaitlyn died after her babysitter left her in a hot car for more than two hours. Kaitlyn's Law, making it illegal for a child to be left unattended in a car, was signed into law in California the year after.
Children are more prone to the effects of extreme temperatures because their bodies are smaller and heat up faster.
Call 9-1-1 if you see a child alone in a locked car. If you see a child appear to be in distress inside a locked car, the Sheriff's Department says to take action to get the child out of the car and spray them with cool water.
The Sheriff's Department asks anyone with information about this incident to call the Sheriff's Child Abuse Unit at (858) 285-6222 and the Sheriff's Department non-emergency line at (858)-868-3200.
