NJ Child Dies in Hot Car

Lindenworld Police found the lifeless body of a 2 year old in a locked, hot car at a PATCO station. Image: Lindenwold Police Department

For the 34th time this year and the second time in New Jersey alone, a child has died after being left behind in a hot car. The Camden County, New Jersey Prosecutor’s Office says a 22 month old girl was found unresponsive in her car seat when Lindenwold police responded to a 911 call on Friday afternoon at the PATCO train station parking lot there. Resuscitation efforts were made but the child was reported dead at the scene at 3:54 pm. The prosecutor’s office said the van was locked, but a passenger window was broken at the time of the officers’ arrival. At this time, there have been no charges filed while the investigation is ongoing. The prosecutor’s office did not release the child’s name or any additional details.

The National Weather Service has embarked on a "Look before you lock" campaign to make sure you don't leave behind any children or pets when you lock your car. Image: NWS — The National Weather Service has embarked on a “Look before you lock” campaign to make sure you don’t leave behind any children or pets when you lock your car. Image: NWS

High temperatures yesterday rose into the 80’s yesterday. According to the National Weather Service, outdoor temperatures in the 80’s can soar into the 100’s on a sunny day.

Just months ago in May, a similar scenario unfolded in Lakewood. There, a 21-month-old child died on May 6 after being left in a vehicle outside a home in the Ocean County community. According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, that child was in the vehicle for an estimated 2½ hours before perishing. The mother who left that child in the hot car to die was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child.