A four-year-old girl has died after she was found unresponsive in a car in Buckeye. *
A toddler was found unresponsive in a vehicle at a home on 212th Lane near Granada Road in Buckeye on Friday afternoon. Buckeye police responded to the scene following a call that came in just before 5 p.m. Information gathered at this time indicates the family returned from a trip to the park sometime after 2 p.m. Hours later, family members began searching for the girl and found her unresponsive in the vehicle. It is believed she was unaccounted for approximately two hours, according to Carissa Planalp, Public Information Officer for Buckeye Police.
The child was transported to a hospital for medical care, where she was pronounced dead. The investigation is in its early stages. Authorities are working to gather more information about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
At the time of the incident, temperatures in Buckeye were dangerously high. The forecasted high for today was 109 degrees, and around 5 p.m., it was estimated to be 106 degrees. In such conditions, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can quickly exceed 130 degrees, posing a severe risk of heatstroke or death, particularly for young children. Even with windows slightly open, vehicles can become dangerously hot in just minutes.
Incidents involving children left in hot cars are a significant concern in regions with extreme heat, such as Arizona. Experts urge parents and caregivers to remain vigilant and always check the back seat before leaving a vehicle.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
*This story has been updated from a previous story which had the child being 4 years old.
