A 2-year-old Florida girl died on Sunday after being left inside a hot vehicle for approximately three hours, authorities said. The incident occurred in Hallandale Beach while the child, identified as Brittany Nicole, was under the care of a babysitter. The temperature in the area reached a high of 92 degrees on the day of the tragedy.
Hallandale Beach Police were notified of the incident around 1:35 p.m. The toddler was transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The official cause of death is pending the Medical Examiner's report. According to the National Weather Service, children can succumb to heatstroke within 10 minutes when left in a hot vehicle.
The child's mother, Cristina Lopez, stated that the babysitter, who has not been publicly identified, reportedly asked an older relative with dementia to watch Brittany Nicole. This relative is alleged to have left the child in the car from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Lopez expressed her desire for justice, noting that she was informed by police on July 7 that no charges would be filed against the babysitter or the relative. This decision, according to a GoFundMe page organized for Lopez, was attributed to the relative's reported mental illness and the absence of a formal contract with the babysitter.
The Hallandale Beach Police Department issued a statement indicating that the Broward State Attorney's Office is reviewing the circumstances to determine if criminal charges are appropriate, pending the Medical Examiner's final report. "No charging decision has been made yet," the department added.
Police Chief Michel Michel commented on the incident, stating, "This tragedy has touched our entire community. While nothing can undo the pain this family is experiencing, our hearts remain with the child’s family." He urged caregivers to adopt the habit of always checking the back seat before leaving a vehicle to prevent similar losses.