Police say a 3-year-old boy left in a car at a south valley vacation resort Saturday night died from heat-related injuries.
The child, who was here on vacation with a large family, was left in the car for at least an hour, Metro Lt. Roger Price said in a briefing broadcast online.
Price said the incident appears to be a “tragic accident” and that the boy’s parents, who found him in the car, had apparently lost track of him. When they realized what had happened, too much time had elapsed, he said.
Medics and officers were dispatched about 4:50 p.m. to the complex at 9940 Las Vegas Blvd. South, near Silverado Ranch Boulevard, Metro Police Lt. Carlos Hank said.
The child was rushed to St. Rose Dominican Hospital–Siena Campus with heat-related injuries and died there, Hank said.
The temperature at McCarran International Airport, the official valley measuring location, rose to 114 degrees on Saturday, to tie a record for the date set in 1949, according to the National Weather Service.
Under those conditions, temperatures inside a car can reach about 170 degrees, which can be deadly for a child for any period of time, Price said.
Metro’s abuse and neglect detectives are investigating the death, as is often the case when a child dies, police said.
Price, who called the incident a “tragic accident,” only said that the investigation was ongoing when asked if any charges were expected. “Nobody intends for (this) to happen,” he said, adding that it doesn’t mean there wasn’t negligence involved.
“It’s just something none of us ever want to see,” Price said.
The parents weren’t believed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Price said.
In situations when there is a large family gathering, the situation can get overwhelming and people tend to “get ahead” of themselves, Price said. He recommends that children are supervised at all times. Taking a minute to assure that can prevent a death.