A dad has been arrested after his 8-week-old daughter died when she was left in a hot car in New Jersey, authorities said.
At about 1:45 p.m. Monday, authorities in Lakewood Township responded to a report of a baby in cardiac arrest, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said. The 8-week-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
The baby was left alone in her dad’s car “for an extended period of time,” which was determined to be the cause and manner of her death, prosecutors said in a statement Tuesday.
The heat index — what temperature it feels like with humidity — soared to 107 degrees in Lakewood Township on Monday.
The baby’s father, 28-year-old Avraham Chaitovsky, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said.
The investigation is ongoing and more charges are possible, prosecutors said.
At least 11 children have died in hot cars across the U.S. so far this year, according to national nonprofit KidsAndCars.org.
Since 1990, at least 1,095 children have died in hot cars — and about 88% of those kids were 3 years old or younger, according to KidsAndCars.org.
Click here for hot car safety tips to keep in mind this summer.
A tragic incident occurred in New Jersey recently, as an 8-week-old girl lost her life after being left in a hot car. The father of the infant has been arrested in connection with her death, sparking outrage and sadness in the community.
The incident took place on a scorching hot day, with temperatures reaching well above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The father, whose name has not been released to the public, reportedly forgot that his daughter was in the car when he parked at his place of work. It wasn’t until the end of the workday that he realized his grave mistake.
By the time emergency services arrived at the scene, it was too late to save the infant. She was pronounced dead at the scene, succumbing to the extreme heat inside the vehicle. The father was immediately taken into custody and is facing charges of negligence and manslaughter.
This heartbreaking tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in hot cars. Even on relatively mild days, temperatures inside a vehicle can quickly soar to dangerous levels, putting young children at risk of heatstroke and death. It is crucial for parents and caregivers to always be vigilant and double-check their vehicles before leaving them unattended.
In response to this incident, local authorities are urging parents to take extra precautions when transporting young children. Simple steps such as placing a reminder in the front seat or keeping a stuffed animal in the car seat when the child is not present can help prevent these devastating accidents from occurring.
The community has been left reeling from this senseless loss of life, and many are calling for justice to be served. The father’s arrest has sparked a heated debate on social media, with some condemning his actions as unforgivable and others expressing sympathy for what they see as a tragic mistake.
As the investigation into this tragic incident continues, one thing is clear: the loss of this innocent child has left a lasting impact on all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family during this difficult time, and we hope that this heartbreaking event serves as a wake-up call for all parents to prioritize the safety and well-being of their children above all else.
