Toddler found dead in car seat after mother forgets to drop girl off at day care, police say

DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) - Police in South Carolina are investigating after a toddler was found dead in a car in a high school parking lot Friday afternoon.

WCSC reports that the body of a 16-month-old girl was found in a car seat at Bishop England High School.

According to Berkeley County Coroner Darnell Hartwell, the child was located in a car owned by a high school staff member. It was determined that the elevated heat temperature contributed to her death, he said.

Authorities said they were called to the school around 4 p.m.

Investigators determined the child’s mother forgot to drop the little girl off at a day care earlier in the morning, Hartwell said. She was left in the vehicle between 7:30 and 8 a.m.

The child was pronounced deceased by Berkeley County first responders.

The Charleston Police Department, the Berkeley County Coroner’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division are among those investigating.

It’s currently unclear if anyone will face charges.

The family involved was not immediately identified by authorities.

Bishop England High School President Patrick Finneran issued a statement Friday evening. Classes on Monday are canceled, and a mass will be offered instead.

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