Florida Toddler Dies After Being Left In Hot Day Care Van

OAKLAND PARK, FL — A Florida toddler died Monday after being left in a hot day care van, according to the Broward County Sheriff's Office. The child was identified as 2-year-old Noah Sneed, whose body was discovered by a day care worker.

The agency's Veda Coleman-Wright told Patch that first responders received a call around 3:19 p.m. from Ceressa's Daycare and Preschool located at 3140 NW 21st Ave. BSO deputies and Oakland Park Fire Rescue personnel confirmed that the toddler passed away once they arrived.

Keyla Concepción of the Broward Sheriff's Office told reporters at the scene that investigators were interviewing employees and children at the day care center to piece together what happened.

"We know that at some time earlier today the boy was transported to this facility inside that van," said Concepción. "At this point we don't know why the boy remained inside the vehicle."

About 38 children under the age of 15 die each year from heatstroke after being left in vehicles, according to the National Safety Council, which said that some 23 deaths had been reported in 2019 as of July 28.

"Noah's body was transported to the medical examiner's office where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death," said the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

Temperatures in Oakland Park, which is just outside Fort Lauderdale, hovered around 88 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday.

"Nearly every state has experienced at least one death since 1998, and in 2018, a record number of 52 children died after being left in a hot vehicle," said the National Safety Council, which said that more than half of the children had been forgotten by a parent or caregiver.

Find more information on hot-car deaths at noheatstroke.org.

To report a tip in the Florida case, contact BSO Homicide Detective John Curcio at 954-321-4210. Alternatively, call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or visit www.browardcrimestoppers.org.