NAMUR, Belgium (BN24) — A 15-month-old baby has died from heat exposure after being left for hours inside a parked car in the southern Belgian city of Namur, local prosecutors said Friday, prompting a manslaughter investigation into the tragic incident.
Authorities believe the child was unintentionally left behind by a parent on Thursday, as outdoor temperatures in the region climbed to around 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). According to initial findings from the investigation, the baby died from hyperthermia, or overheating, after being left unattended inside the vehicle for several hours.
The Namur prosecutor’s office confirmed that a forensic examination found no signs of foul play. “According to the preliminary findings of the investigation, the child was forgotten inside a vehicle,” officials stated.
Local media reported that the baby’s father had intended to drop the child off at daycare before heading to work, but instead proceeded directly to his company, unknowingly leaving the infant in the back seat. The car was reportedly parked at his workplace for the entire day.
The child’s death has shocked the local community and reignited concern about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, even in seemingly moderate temperatures. Experts warn that the temperature inside a parked car can quickly rise to dangerous levels, putting young children at extreme risk of fatal heatstroke.
The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors determine whether charges will be filed in what is being treated as a case of manslaughter due to negligence.
