3-year-old dead in Washington County after being left in vehicle

SALT LAKE CITY – A toddler was declared dead Monday night outside of an apartment complex in Washington County. Investigators said they suspect the child was left in a vehicle.

“At approximately 6:11 p.m., the Washington County Consolidated Communications Center received a call during which they heard the caller screaming. Initially, they were unable to gather information about what was happening and dispatched officers as a 911 hang-up call,” according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

At approximately 6:13 p.m., first responders eventually determined the report that a child was injured and not breathing, then the caller hung up, according to Charley Guthrie, district chief at Northwest Fire & Rescue.

First responders were dispatched to an apartment complex near East Center St. and Main St. in Veyo, Utah, Guthrie said.

 

When first responders arrived, they reported a 3-year-old boy was on the ground, unresponsive, according to Sgt. Lucas Alfred with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. The child’s parents were reportedly at the scene.

Medical teams reportedly attempted life-saving efforts, but the child was declared dead at the scene. The child was reportedly transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

No known cause of death was immediately provided. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said investigators suspected the child was left in a vehicle.

“The initial investigation by detectives revealed that the child was left unattended in the vehicle after a shopping trip with his family,” the release said.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was reportedly working on the investigation alongside the Washington County Attorney’s Office.

“The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is saddened that this tragic incident occurred and extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community this has affected,” the sheriff’s office said.

No further information was immediately provided.