“As temperatures rise, please take a moment and always check your vehicles," Sheriff Eddie Farris said
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NEED TO KNOW
- An infant has died after being left in a hot car with the engine off and windows up
- The 7-month-old was reportedly left with their foster grandmother, who forgot to take the child to daycare
- Tennessee authorities say the investigation remains ongoing
An infant is dead after being left in a hot car in Tennessee.
A 7-month-old baby was discovered unresponsive inside of a vehicle parked at the Monterey Library at approximately 4:00 p.m., local time, on Wednesday, April 15, the Putnam County Sheriff's Department said in a press release on Thursday, April 16.
The PCSD did not disclose the identity of the victim.
Numerous life-saving measures were attempted, but unfortunately, the child did not survive, the sheriff's department said, adding that authorities believe the baby could have been unattended in the vehicle for hours.
According to the press release, the engine was not running, and all of the windows were sealed shut.
“This is a devastating tragedy,” Sheriff Eddie Farris said in a statement.
“We are thoroughly investigating the circumstances regarding this incident,” the sheriff continued. “As temperatures rise, please take a moment and always check your vehicles. A simple check can save a child’s life.”
The baby was left in the care of their foster grandmother, who was supposed to be taking the child to daycare on Wednesday, Farris told WKRN.
However, when the child never arrived, staff at the daycare contacted the foster mother, who then reached out to the grandmother, who realized she had never taken the child to daycare before going to the library.
“It’s very hard. I don’t think no one meant for this to happen,” Farris told the news station.
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The sheriff also warned that more situations could take place in the months to come as temperatures rise.
“We haven’t even got into summer yet, and I’m sure I will be not the only one — law enforcement… the chief of law enforcement — that has these interviews throughout the summer, and so we don’t need that to happen,” Farris said. “It’s really sad. We all need to pay attention, and, for no reason, it’s not okay to leave a child in the car anytime for any length of time. Bad things happen when you do that.”
The investigation remains ongoing, per the press release. The PCSD has not announced whether or not charges will be filed.
PEOPLE reached out to the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
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