A baby was left to die in a hot car after their father reportedly forgot to drop them off at the nursery before parking and going to work.
The 14-month-old child was found dead on Wednesday afternoon in a parking lot at the airline company Safran in Bordes, southwestern France.
“Initial investigations suggest that the young child died of suffocation and dehydration,” prosecutor Cecile Gensac said yesterday.
Record-breaking temperatures swept through southern France this week, but at the time of the baby’s death, the mercury had risen around 22°C.
The baby’s mother initially raised the alarm late on Wednesday after realizing her child hadn’t been to daycare.
Paramedics rushed to the scene and tried to resuscitate the baby around 5 p.m., but it was too late.
“No one has heard the slightest noise,” said prosecutor, Mr Gensac.
Both parents, neither of whom have criminal records, were reportedly sent to Pau hospital after suffering ‘shock’.
The daycare center, which takes in 80 children and employs 26 people, was closed for two days after the incident.
A psychological support unit has also been set up there to help people process what has happened.
An autopsy will determine the exact cause of death.
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