A 6-month-old baby was left all day inside an SUV at a Volusia County middle school. The baby was found dead Friday afternoon.
The Volusia County Sheriff's Office said the baby was inadvertently left in an SUV around 7 a.m. by a teacher at Deltona Middle School who was caring for the child. They believe the child was in the SUV nearly nine hours.
The sheriff's office says it got a frantic 911 call at 3:54 p.m. A school resource officer rushed to the vehicle but the baby had already died.
The sheriff's office is investigating. Sheriff Ben Johnson says it's too early to call it a criminal investigation.
“I can’t say I’ve dealt with one on a school parking lot, but anytime a loss of life gets us all, especially a child," explained Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson. "This takes its toll on everybody involved, the faculty of the school, your deputies, everybody involved when you see a child lose its life, it always takes a toll on everybody."
A school resource officer rushed to the vehicle but investigators said it was obvious there was nothing that they could do and the baby had already been dead for sometime.
“I know that as we got officers on the scene, I know it affected them and they wanted to do anything they can but sad part is sometimes there’s just nothing you can do," Sheriff Johnson said
The Volusia County School District issued a statement Friday afternoon:
"Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family and the Deltona Middle School community. This tragedy has broken the hearts of all of us in the school district. We will stand by the family with love and compassion."
The principal of Deltona Middle School, Dr. Richard Inge, also sent a recorded phone message to parents Friday night.
"As many of you are aware, on Friday afternoon a horrific tragedy occurred on our campus. A six-month old baby, who resided with one of our faculty members passed away. We are deeply saddened and send out our heartfelt sympathies to the family."
Grief counselors will be available when students return to school after the weekend.