2-year-old dies in hot car; police say child wasn’t left inside vehicle

ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) - No charges have been filed after a toddler was found inside a hot car and pronounced dead on Tuesday, police in Georgia confirmed.

Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer said during a press conference Wednesday morning it was too early in the investigation to know whether anyone would face criminal charges in the 2-year-old boy’s death.

He asked for grace and support for the boy’s family, adding that the department doesn’t believe outrage is warranted.

“My only role today really is to extend our sympathies to the family and the friends and the neighbors and all those who were affected by this tragedy,” he said. “We need some time to sort this out before we really know what happened.”

Cobb County Police Sgt. Eric Smith said there was no evidence to suggest the child was left inside the car. He asked anyone who may have information to call the Crimes Against Persons Unit at 770-499-3945.

At around 5:30 p.m., police were called to 884 Wanda Circle, where they found the child. The boy was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital and pronounced dead.

WANF sent a reporter to the home on Wednesday, where the family was outside on the porch. The family reported the child did live at the home and added that the death was an accident.

Amy Barnes, a neighbor and witness to the incident, previously said that the toddler was “blue-faced” when taken into the house.

“Next thing I know, people are screaming, and 911 got called,” she said. “It’s a tragedy.”

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