Long Island, New York: Tragic Death of Toddler Left Unattended in Hot Car for Eight Hours by Grandmother

A 14-month-old girl has died after being left in a vehicle for about eight hours in New York, authorities said.

According to Suffolk County Police, Chyasia Evans’ grandmother, 54, forgot to drop her off at daycare on Monday and went to work, leaving the child in a car seat in the back on Long Island.

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About eight hours later, at about 4.20pm, the child was to be picked up from daycare, located on Redwood Lne in Smithtown, when the Greenlawn woman realised she had left the child in her vehicle, police said.

The toddler was taken to Saint Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown where she was pronounced dead.

The death is under investigation and no criminal charges have been filed.

Stuffed toys and lit candles lined the parking spot in Smithtown late Tuesday where the girl died.

Her mother, Jessica Watkins, was clutching an Elmo toy in her arms during a vigil for the toddler.

“I know you’re going to be my guardian angel and I love you until we meet again,” Watkins said.

“I’m so defeated. I don’t know how to do this.”

The child’s aunt said the daycare never notified anyone that the child was not dropped off, which could have provided critical life-saving hours for the girl.

No one at the daycare could be reached Tuesday night.

About 40 children die of heatstroke in the United States every year after being left or becoming trapped in a car, according to the US Department of Transportation.

The majority of cases happen when a parent or caregiver forgets that the child is in the car.

Monday’s high temperature in Smithtown was 83F (28C), but temperatures inside a car can reach much higher.