An 18-month-old girl has died after being left in a car for the entire day in Bertem, near Leuven, Belgium, when a parent reportedly failed to drop her at a nursery. Emergency services were called to the scene after the toddler was found unconscious inside the vehicle, where the parent had parked before going to work.
Parent allegedly forgot child before work
Reports indicate that the parent dropped an older sibling at GBS 't Zonneveld primary school last Friday before heading to work, allegedly forgetting that the 18-month-old was still in the car. The child was discovered when the parent returned to the school later that afternoon to collect the older child.
Paramedics attempted resuscitation after finding the toddler unconscious. She was transported to the UZ Gasthuisberg hospital in Leuven, where she was later pronounced dead.
Investigation launched by prosecutor's office
An investigation has been launched by the Leuven Public Prosecutor's Office, which is currently treating the death as an accident. “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 through the school and would wait for the prosecutor's office to complete its investigation before commenting, describing it as a “very sensitive” case. He said: “The family reportedly lives in Bertem. At the moment, the circumstances are not yet very clear. I heard several versions yesterday during our annual fair, so it is important that the public prosecutor's office completes its investigation before we can communicate.”
Support offered to pupils and teachers
Psychological support is being offered to pupils and teachers at GBS 't Zonneveld primary school. Mr Vander Elst stated: “The (school) management and the CLB (Pupil Counselling Centre) are currently fully engaged in assessing what guidance is required (...) to be able to respond appropriately to the questions.”
He added: “The municipal primary school 't Zonneveld will open as usual (...) with normal classes. We will, however, set up a quiet room for teachers and children who had contact with the sister of the young victim, who attends the school in the first grade.”
