A 1-year-old girl was found dead outside a hospital. This happened when her foster mother forgot her in the car for more than 9 hours.
The police in Puyallup, Washington, USA, has confirmed that a young girl has died after her foster mother left her in a hot car.
The car was parked outside a hospital, and the girl’s foster mother, who works at the hospital, allegedly forgot that she had left her in the car, according to the Mirror.
They arrived at the hospital at 8:00 a.m. and it wasn’t until 5:00 p.m. that the 1-year-old was found. The temperature inside the car was then measured at 37 degrees, the newspaper reported. Outside, it was 23 degrees.
They tried to resuscitate her
She was immediately taken care of by hospital staff, but unfortunately her life could not be saved.
This is a tragic event, and our hearts and thoughts go out to the family and those affected by this, says police officer Don Bourbon in a statement according to the website and continues:
As it gets warmer, life gets busier. There is a lot going on for all families and in everyone’s life, all over the world. So it’s a good time to take it easy, take a step back, and be aware of what we have around us and our families.
According to the organization No heatstroke, 33 children died in the United States last year after being left in an overheated car.
Police warnings
In Northern Europe as well, the police have issued warnings not to leave small children and dogs in the car during the summer months.
“Every year the police break car windows to save children and animals from the heat,” for example, the Swedish police wrote on their Facebook page.
They also share exactly what to do if you see a child or an animal in a hot car.
You have the right to intervene
In the same post, the Swedish police explain that as a private individual, you have the right to rescue the person or animal in danger. This also applies in the Netherlands.
“If you see a person or an animal showing signs of overheating in a hot car, you have the right to rescue the person or the animal and thus break the window using an emergency provision in the law. Emergency includes when danger threatens life, health, or property. The person carrying out the rescue operation must be willing to identify themselves to the called police or the car owner/driver. It is preferable to call first, perhaps there is a patrol nearby that can help with the assessment and breaking of the window.”
All our thoughts are with the family in this difficult time. Rest in peace, little angel.
READ MORE: 2-year-old girl left in hot car – tragically passed away alone while parents slept
