A 5-year-old girl died Tuesday evening after she was inadvertently left inside a vehicle outside a Garland home, according to police.
The Garland Police Department said officers and firefighters responded to a residence on Redbird Drive at about 8:20 p.m. on August 18 after receiving a report of a medical emergency involving the child.
The girl was identified by Garland police as Jean-Paul Faustina, Fox 4 KDFW reported. Garland ISD confirmed she was a new student in the district.
Child Found Unresponsive Inside Vehicle
According to police, an adult family member had returned home from school with the 5-year-old and her sibling. The child was left inside the vehicle after the family member and sibling exited.
Family members later realized the girl was missing and began searching the home and surrounding area. They eventually found her unresponsive inside the vehicle.
The family immediately began CPR and called 911 for assistance. First responders continued lifesaving efforts before transporting the girl to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police said the child had been inside the vehicle for several hours. An Extreme Heat Warning was in effect on Tuesday in North Texas. Investigators have not released an estimate of exactly how long the girl was inside the vehicle.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
Garland police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, including how she was left in the vehicle and the sequence of events leading up to her discovery.
No charges have been filed.
Police are working with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether there was any criminal responsibility in the case. A medical examiner is also expected to conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Investigators have not released additional details about the vehicle or the circumstances surrounding the child’s discovery.
Garland ISD Offers Support
Garland ISD confirmed the girl was a new student and said crisis counselors are available to support students and staff affected by the tragedy.
“Garland ISD confirms with heavy hearts that the five-year-old child who tragically passed away was a new student in our district,” the district said in a statement. “This profound loss saddens us deeply, and our thoughts are with the family.”
The district said counselors will be available on campus to provide support.
Garland police also said community counseling services will be offered to the child’s family following the traumatic incident.
Garland Police Public Information Officer Matt Pesta urged parents and caregivers to double-check their vehicles before leaving them, particularly during periods of extreme heat.
“It’s very important if you find yourself in a situation where you have children with you in the back,” Pesta said. “Before you get out of that vehicle, you have to double-check.”