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Ridgefield Police Investigate Death Of 15-Month-Old Boy In Hot Car

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. - Police in Ridgefield confirmed Tuesday that they are investigating the death of a 15-month-old boy left in a hot car Monday. 

Photo Credit: Alissa Smith, file photo

Requests for information about the case were directed to Ridgefield Police Capt. Jeffrey Kreitz, but he was unavailable for immediate comments Tuesday.

The 15-month-old boy was left in a hot car on Monday, when temperatures soared to nearly 90 degrees, according to a police statement. The boy was left unattended inside the parked vehicle for "an extended period of time," according to a police statement.

Here is the full statement from the Ridgefield police: "On July 7, 2014, at approximately 6 p.m. the Ridgefield Police Department was notified about the tragic death of a 15-month-old boy. It was reported to police that the infant was left unattended inside of a parked vehicle for an extended period of time. The cause of death is yet to be determined. Police are investigating this incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time."

In other incidents this summer, people are facing charges in East Lyme, New London and Orange after leaving children alone in vehicles, NBC 30 said.

So far this year there have been 15 deaths associated with heatstroke in cars, the Norwalk Police Department says. 

On the Norwalk police Facebook page, several facts about cars in hot weather are provided.

  • Cars heat up quickly. A vehicle can heat up 20 degrees in 10 minutes.
  • Cracking the windows or not parking in direct sunlight does not make a car significantly cooler. Heat stroke deaths have occurred even when the vehicle was parked in shade.
  • A car can reach 110 degrees when temperatures are only in the 60s. Heat stroke can take place when the outside temperature is as low as 57 degrees.
  • The body temperatures of children can increase three to five times faster than adults. Heat stroke begins when the body passes 104 degrees. Reaching an internal temperature of 107 degrees can be deadly.

The story will be updated when more information becomes available.

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