An 18-month-old girl has died in hospital after being left in a car in Bertem, near Leuven, Belgium, when a parent allegedly forgot her and went to work.
Emergency services were called to the scene when the child was found unconscious after spending the day in the vehicle. Paramedics attempted to revive her before taking her to UZ Gasthuisberg hospital in Leuven, where she died.
Discovery after school pickup
The child's older sister had been dropped off at GBS 't Zonneveld primary school last Friday before the parent went to work, allegedly forgetting the 18-month-old. The discovery was made when the parent returned to the school to collect the older child.
The Leuven Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the death, which is currently being treated as an accident.
Prosecutor's statement
“One of her parents was supposed to take her to daycare in the morning but forgot that the child was still in the car,” the prosecutor's office told HLN.
Bertem mayor Joel Vander Elst said he was informed of the tragedy by the school and would wait for the investigation to conclude before commenting, describing it as a “very sensitive” case.
Support for school community
Psychological support is being offered to pupils and teachers at GBS 't Zonneveld primary school. Vander Elst said the school management and the Pupil Counselling Centre (CLB) are assessing what guidance is required to respond appropriately to questions.
The municipal primary school will open as usual with normal classes, but a quiet room will be set up for teachers and children who had contact with the sister of the young victim, who attends the school in the first grade.
