PLANTATION, Florida. (WSVN) – A day after a boy was found dead inside an SUV outside a Plantation early childhood education center, new heartbreaking details have come to light, shedding light on car fatalities and what experts say parents can do to avoid these tragedies.
Speaking to 7News on Tuesday, Leslie Novoa, owner of World of Discovery Academy, said she called 911 when she and the baby’s father discovered the 23-month-old baby in the back seat of his father’s car Monday afternoon.
Plantation police said officers and fire crews arrived on scene shortly after 5:30 p.m., but it was too late. Emergency services personnel confirmed the child’s death.
“It’s hard for the parents, it’s hard for us,” Novoa said. “It’s sad to see this family, a wonderful family, go through so much pain.”
Novoa said it quickly became clear what had happened.
“Unfortunately, the dad came to pick up the child, and when he arrived in the parking lot, he realized that he had forgotten the child,” she said. “He never took the child to school.”
Novoa said the family has been with her for years. This was their third child at the school and she is heartbroken over the situation.
“I know the parent didn’t want to… because I’ve known them for six years,” she said. “Like I said, they are a very loving family and it’s unfortunate that this happened.”
Crime scene tape stretched across the daycare parking lot Monday as investigators zeroed in on a black SUV. Investigators set up a tent around the car to figure out what happened.
Detectives and investigators spent several hours at the crime scene collecting evidence.
Now, parents at the preschool and others are praying for the community, viewing the tragedy as a grim reminder that their children need to be safe.
“Driving the car, making sure they take the kids to school, always double checking the back seat,” Novoa said. “You know, it’s just to make sure they did the right thing.”
“Honestly, I couldn’t imagine being in this situation,” said the woman, who asked not to be named or have her face shown on camera.
“I’m speechless. It’s definitely heartbreaking and I hope that the family and definitely the staff – I know as a community, you know, family members have been affected,” one parent said.
KidsandCars.org, an organization that educates families and helps prevent these tragic deaths, reports that about 40 children die in hot cars each year, half of them left inside by parents or guardians by mistake.
Experts say a simple reminder, such as a stuffed toy, can help parents stay focused.
“Bring this stuffed toy forward and place it on your lap while you drive. Now you have a physical and visual signal that the child is still in the car,” Chloe Burke told KidsandCars.org. “Other strategies include leaving your shoes behind or the ID you need to get into the office or something like that.”
“Unfortunately with technology, you know, I’m warning you, unfortunately, I know how hectic and busy people can be these days, but obviously there’s no excuse for that, but still, it’s heartbreaking,” said a parent who spoke with 7News. “I don’t know what’s going on in the parents’ heads.”
Meanwhile, the family on the Plantation is forever changed by what appears to be a mistake.
“Always try to remember that the kids are in the back. I mean, I know it happened, unfortunately, I know the parent didn’t mean to do it,” Novoa said.
Detectives have not specified how the child died, how long he was in the SUV or what led to the tragedy.
As for the kindergarten, they released a lengthy statement sharing their grief over the loss of one of their students and detailing the events that led to this discovery, as well as offering support to the grief-stricken family:
“Our primary responsibility is the safety and well-being of our students and their families. We have reached out to our school community as quickly as possible and remain in touch with our families to provide support during this incredibly difficult time. This student and his family are beloved members of our community. We are currently focused on supporting those grieving this tremendous loss. Out of respect for the privacy of the family and their need to grieve, we are unable to share further details and respectfully ask the media and public to use the same discretion and compassion.”
The daycare also said it will fully cooperate with authorities throughout the investigation.
As of Wednesday morning, police had not said whether anyone would be charged. The investigation into the incident continues.
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