Pomona 3-Year-Old Dies After Tragically Left in Hot Car

A 3-year-old girl died at a Pomona hospital from a heat- related accidental injury, police said Monday.

The accident in a vehicle outside a home on Rancho Jurupa Place --in Pomona -- was reported at 4:55 p.m. Sunday, said Pomona police Lt. Eddie Vasquez.

“A female child was found unconscious in a vehicle after a family outing,” Vasquez said. “The victim was transported to Pomona Valley Hospital in grave condition. The victim never regained consciousness and died as a result of the incident.”

The girl was identified as 3-year-old Kiara Li.

Investigators called to the home “do not suspect foul play at this time,” he said. “Our initial findings are consistent with this incident being a tragic accident. The parents and other siblings all believed that the victim exited the vehicle at the same time as everyone else.”

An autopsy and additional information related to the incident are still pending, Vasquez said.

According to kidsandcars.org, an average of 38 children die in hot cars each year from heat-related deaths after being trapped inside motor vehicles.

--City News Service