Girl, 9, dies after mum left her in the car whilst she went to work
A nine-year-old child has died in Texas after she was allegedly left unattended in a car for hours while her mum went to work.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a press conference that on 1 July they responded to a call of an unresponsive child in a car in Galena Park and the girl was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
"Upon arrival we found a child, we believe that child to be nine years old, that was unresponsive at the time," he said at the conference.
"CPR was administered, that child was transported to a nearby hospital where sadly she was pronounced deceased.
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"The information that we have at this point is still preliminary, it's still an active investigation, we have homicide as well as CSI that will be coming to the location to process the scene, is that a nine-year-old female child was left in the vehicle unattended.
"Possibly from as early as this morning (1 July) until about 2pm. It's our understanding that a mum, approximately 36 years of age, works here at the complex, in what capacity we do not know.
"But then left the child unattended with some water, the windows partially down, and proceeded to go to work for the day. Of course, upon returning to the vehicle later on in the afternoon, is obviously when she found her unresponsive."
He called it a 'very tragic situation' and a 'tragic reminder of how dangerous it is to leave unattended children in a vehicle for any amount of time'.
Sheriff Gonzalez said that it had been 'very hot' that day, adding that higher temperatures were more dangerous to children and there was 'no excuse to leave any child unattended' in a car.
He said they believe the mother's shift at work started at 6am and ended at 2pm, and they didn't know whether anyone went out to the car to check on the child during the day.
The sheriff added that the car was parked in a spot and had a sun visor up which may have prevented passers-by from seeing into the car to see the child.
According to ABC, the mother is no longer detained as they are waiting for the autopsy reports and it will be up to Harris County Attorney's Office to decide on any possible charges.
Gonzalez said there was nothing to indicate that the mother 'thought this would be the outcome'.
Joe Harker