An Anaheim toddler is dead after she was left in a hot car during the ongoing heat wave.
Authorities responded at about 4:30 p.m. Friday afternoon to the 1300 block of Fashion Lane, and on scene, they found an unconscious mother and daughter in a vehicle, the Los Angeles Times reports.
There is some dispute about the conditions outside of the white Ford Expedition — the Times cited an Anaheim police officer as saying it was 104 degrees, while the Orange County Register reported it was 96 at the time — but on hot days, temperatures inside a vehicle are often far hotter than the air temperature.
In this case, the heat was enough to put both mother and child in the hospital, and the Register reports “little girl later died at the hospital, with the preliminary cause of death being heat stroke complications.”
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Matt Parish said the toddler was identified as Anaheim resident Ily Ruiz, 3.
The mother’s identity has not been released, and it’s unclear if she will face any criminal charges.
Juan Ruiz, Ily’s father, took to social media on Sunday to mourn his child. (Editor’s note: The video linked here contains strong language.)
“I wish I was making this up, but no, my daughter really is dead due to the negligence of her mother,” Ruiz said.
Juan Ruiz’s family has set up a GoFundMe to assist with funeral and other costs.