Utah boy, 9, found dead after being left in hot car

AMERICAN FORK, Utah — A 9-year-old boy was found dead Wednesday after he was left inside a hot car in Utah, authorities said.

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Police in American Fork responded to a call at 1:33 p.m. MDT after the child was found inside the vehicle, which was parked outside of a business, KSTU reported. Lt. Police spokesperson Josh Christensen said the boy was in the car for up to two hours before he was found, KUTV reported.

A medical helicopter was called to take the child to an area hospital, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, the television station reported.

“The vehicle was turned off, all the windows were rolled up, they weren’t rolled down at all and all the doors were closed,” Christensen told KUTV.

The car was parked outside Roost Services, an organization that helps youths and adults with developmental disabilities, KSTU reported.

“It sounds as if he was picked up and brought here by a staff member, somehow there was multiple individuals who were brought here by that staff member,” Christensen told KUTV. “Everybody involved is taking this very hard.”

Janette Fennell, president of Kids and Cars, said in a news release Wednesday that the boy was the first to die in Utah this year and the 10th nationally.

“Hot car deaths continue to take place because nobody believes this could happen to them,” Fennell said in the release. “The unfortunate reality is that this has happened to even the most loving, responsible, and attentive parents. Factors such as fatigue, stress, or a sudden change in routine can contribute to parents unknowingly leaving a child alone in a car.”

Police said an investigation is ongoing to determine whether charges will be filed, KSTU reported.

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