VA Father Kills Self After Finding Toddler Dead In Hot Car

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA — A father apparently took his own life Tuesday after he accidentally left his 18-month-child in a hot car for several hours, leading to the toddler's death, Chesterfield County police said.

Officers found a vehicle in the driveway of a house in the 14100 block of Aldengate Road with its doors open and an empty child seat inside after responding to a call about noon, police said. Officers then found the 18-month-old's body inside the house, police said.

After searching the property, police found the body of the child's father in a wooded area behind the home, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. The man was not identified.

Officer had responded to calls that a person may be suicidal and that there may be a dead child at the residence, police said. A family member told police the 18-month-old was never dropped off at day care Tuesday.

The father accidentally left the child in the car over a period of time, which resulted in the child's death, police said at a news conference Tuesday. When the father found the child dead in the vehicle, he returned home and took the body inside, they said.

"This is a horrible tragedy on so many levels, and our hearts go out to the family and friends that are going to deal with this," Chesterfield police said."We would be remiss for people to not take this moment and realize how important it is to check your vehicles."

If you or someone you know is considering harming themselves, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 800-273-8255. Immediate help is also available in an emergency by dialing 911.