One-year-old died after dad forgot to drop him off at daycare and left him in car, police say

A one-year-old boy tragically died due to his father leaving him in the car after forgetting to drop him at daycare, per police reports.

The incident unfolded on Wednesday, November 6, at the Bayfront Child Development Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The toddler sadly died in his car seat. Credit: Jackyenjoyphotography/Getty

The heartbreaking discovery was made later that evening when the father arrived at Bayfront Child Development Center in St. Petersburg to pick up his son.

After speaking with staff, he realized that he had never brought the child to daycare that morning, according to reports from PEOPLE.

“At that point, then the father kind of realized what was going on and went back out to the car,” said Yolanda Fernandez, a spokesperson for the St. Petersburg Police Department, speaking to FOX 13.

The child was discovered unresponsive in the car, where temperatures had soared to a high of 91°F that day.

Emergency personnel responded immediately to the daycare’s parking lot, attempting CPR, but tragically, the toddler was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators suspect the child was in the vehicle for the entire day.

According to Fernandez, the father had altered his regular routine by bringing his son along to an appointment earlier that morning.

Afterward, he intended to drop the boy off at daycare before heading back home, where he works.

Hot cars can quickly become fatal. Credit: Karl Tapales/Getty

Lindsay Judah, division chief with St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, highlighted the severe risks of leaving children in closed vehicles, even briefly.

“In just ten minutes, it can become 20 degrees hotter inside a vehicle with the doors closed,” Judah told FOX 13.

The young boy had been exposed to these dangerously high temperatures for hours.

An autopsy is being conducted, and police are investigating the circumstances to determine whether any charges will be filed, according to ABC Action News and ABC 7 Sarasota.

Judah noted that this was the first fatal hot-car incident the local fire rescue team had seen since 2017.

In hopes of preventing further tragedies, she urged parents and caregivers to set reminders whenever a child is in the car.

Suggested reminders include placing a child’s shoe or toy in the front seat as a visual cue to check the backseat.

“That is our action that we're asking our parents and caregivers to take,” Judah said to FOX 13. “Take action.”

Children should never be left alone in a car, for any amount of time. Credit: FGM/Getty

Dr. Ben Hoffman, Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention, previously offered advice to PEOPLE about how parents can avoid leaving their children in hot cars.

Dr. Hoffman emphasized the importance of families staying mindful and present to prevent such tragedies. Here is a checklist for parents and caregivers to help keep children safe:

1. Write a Checklist: Keep a sticky note on your windshield with your to-dos and cross items off as you complete them. For example: Put on seatbelt. Drive to daycare. Remove child from car. Check the backseat. Go to work.
2. Place Essentials in the Backseat: Put something essential for your day, like your employee badge or purse, in the backseat. Ensure it is secured and out of the child’s reach.
3. Avoid Distracted Driving: Avoid texting or scrolling while driving. Stay focused and mindful of the task.
4. Set Recurring Alarms: Use your phone to set a recurring alarm as a reminder to take your child out of the car.
5. Daycare Policies: Ask your daycare about their policy to call the family if a child does not show up by a certain time. An extended communication chain can provide a safety net.
6. Be Alert to Routine Changes: Be extra alert when there is a change in routine, such as someone driving the child who usually doesn’t, an alternate route to childcare or work, or an appointment.
7. Check the Backseat: Make it a habit to open the back door and check the back seat every time you park, no matter what.
8. Never Leave a Child in the Car: Never leave a child in the car, not even for a minute.

Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragedy.

Featured image credit: Jackyenjoyphotography/Getty