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Police Report On Little Girl Left In Vehicle To Die

By Eddie Farah

The St. Johns County Sheriff's department is releasing details about what happened to a one-year-old who was left inside a car to die. On Sunday, June 14, Arianna Long was left in the automobile after her father dropped the mother off at work. It was very early in the morning.

Arianna was in her car seat in the back and her father assumed she was with relatives. Long remained for several hours inside the car, parked outside her St. Augustine home. When she was finally found, she was not breathing. The little girl later died at Flagler Hospital.

The police report says a relative, who was looking for Arianna Sunday morning, saw the car with the engine running and the baby in the back. The keys were in the ignition and the car was locked.

Our hearts go out to the family of Arianna and to the little girl.

Why the car was running is still a mystery. If it was running, why was there no air conditioning? Why were the keys locked inside the car?

Under Florida law, it is illegal to leave a child unattended or unsupervised in a motor vehicle for any longer than 15 minutes. That's enough time to pull up to a store and grab a bottle of water or get some gasoline. The state can take custody of any child left longer than that.

'Death by hyperthermia' kills 15 to 25 children each year and leaving a child in a car is easier to do than you think. It can happen to anyone, and has. Read this excellent story in the Washington Post on inattentive parents - 'Fatal Distraction'.

The consumer organization, Kids and Cars reminds us that there are several things we can do to remind us about kids in the back. First, put something you'll need like your cell phone, handbag, your employee badge, lunch or brief case, etc., on the floor board in the back seat.

Secondly, place a large teddy bear in the child seat when it is not occupied, and move it to the front when it is. Get into the habit of opening the back door of your vehicle every time you reach your destination to make sure no child has been left behind.

And have your child's day care provider call if the child does not show up on schedule. Provide them with a complete list of names and numbers.

And lastly, as someone who walks through a parking lot, make it a habit to look in the rear seat and be prepared to take action, even if it means breaking out glass, to retrieve a child. You may save a life. #

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Eddie Farah

Full post as published by Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer on June 21, 2009 (boomark / email).