3-year-old dies after getting trapped in hot car

SYLMAR, California (KTLA) -- A 3-year-old boy who climbed into a hot car and could not escape was transported to the hospital in grave condition and later died, authorities said Wednesday.

The child was found in cardiac arrest inside a locked car when firefighters arrived at the 14400 block of Foothill Boulevard (map), according to Katherine Main of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The child was transported to a hospital in grave condition, Main said.

He was not breathing when first responders arrived after being called to the scene about 3:30 p.m., according to Officer Bruce Borihanh with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section.

The boy had been playing outside when he climbed into a car and could not get out, according to LAPD Sgt. S. Carlsen. The child has died, Carlsen said.

The situation appeared to be a “tragic accident,” he said.



The child, his parents and a 14-year-old brother had all taken midday naps about 12:30 p.m., LAPD Lt. Paul Vernon said.

While the others were asleep, the younger boy wandered outside and climbed into a black Toyota sedan on the family’s property, according to Vernon.

He was found unresponsive by his father, who took him inside, administered CPR and then call 911 when the boy could not be revived, Vernon said.

The forecasted high temperature for Sylmar was 96 degrees Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Multiple officers were at the scene, a residential home on a large lot, aerial video showed.

Two black vehicles were in front of the home and were cordoned off with yellow police tape: the Toyota sedan and Toyota pickup truck.

A stroller stood by the walkway to the home.

Police remained at the scene where the boy was found in cardiac arrest. (Credit: KTLA)



KTLA’s Nidia Becerra Tijerino contributed to this article.