
(DailyChive.com) – A tragic incident occurred in Anaheim, California, where a mother and her 3-year-old daughter were found locked inside a hot car. Sadly, the young girl later passed away, according to local police.
Authorities received a call on Friday around 4:20 p.m. about a medical emergency. A family member had discovered 41-year-old Sandra Hernandez and her daughter inside a Ford Expedition. It was unclear how long they had been in the vehicle, but the temperature outside had reached a blistering 104 degrees that day. Unfortunately, the sweltering heat took its toll.
The child was quickly taken to the hospital by paramedics, but despite their best efforts, she died due to complications from heat stroke, Anaheim police reported. An autopsy had not yet been completed at the time of the report, so the exact cause of death was still under investigation, though heat stroke seemed to be the primary reason.
Inside the car, police discovered several bottles of alcohol, which added to the concern and suspicion around the incident. Hernandez herself was also taken to a hospital for treatment but appeared to be suffering from no life-threatening injuries.
Once released from the hospital, Sandra Hernandez was arrested and booked on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and child neglect, said Anaheim police Sgt. Matt Sutter. The charges reflect the seriousness of the case, as police continue to investigate the exact circumstances.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, a GoFundMe page was created to support the girl’s father, Juan Ruiz, and her brother. In a heartbreaking twist, it was revealed that Ruiz had already faced an earlier family tragedy. In 2012, his two sons were killed by a drunk driver while they were camping. The driver had crashed through their tent, killing the boys instantly.
“To know that he’s reliving this all over again, we’re just hurting for him,” said Nancy Salamanca, a cousin of the family. “He’s broken. He’s just devastated.”
The incident comes as Southern California has been battling an intense heatwave, which has made situations like these even more dangerous. Unfortunately, heat and alcohol proved to be a deadly combination on this tragic day.
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