The parents of a little girl who died after being left inside a car on a hot day have been described as a ‘loving family’.
The two-year-old girl was found by emergency services in a vehicle in the Cassowary Coast Regional Council car park at Innisfail, Far North Queensland, on Monday afternoon.
They were called out by worried locals as temperatures soared to 30.4C.
Paramedics treated the girl at the scene and then rushed her to Innisfail Hospital where staff continued CPR, but she could not be revived.
The girl’s parents have been identified as council employee Jason Hemingway and Yoanywe Diaz, and have not been accused of any wrongdoing by police.
Father Kerry Crowley from the Mother of Good Counsel parish has confirmed the family were members of the church community.
‘I’ve had so many families come to me and ask how can we help Jason and Yoanywe, they have no words, they don’t know what to say, but they want to help,’ he told the Courier Mail.
‘A lot of people see themselves in the same light, and think “What if that was my child?”
‘It’s certainly a community that wants to help, and my answer right now is prayer – pray for them.
‘They are a loving family, a well-respected family and a family of faith. Their daughter was full of life and charm, and she’s not with them anymore, but she will be their angel.’
Mr Hemingway works within the Information, Communication and Technology department at the local council.
Queensland Police superintendent Mick Searle on Tuesday described the investigation as ‘complex and detailed’ and said the toddler had been there for a ‘significant period of time’.
‘We’re being assisted by the family and other specialist police and that investigation will continue for quite some time,’ he said.
‘Support is being provided to the family and friends and the Innisfail community, and our heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the people involved in this matter.’
Mayor Teresa Millwood expressed her sympathies for the toddler’s family.
‘The Cassowary Coast Regional Council would like to extend our condolences to the family involved and if there’s anything we can do, we are happy to help them,’ Ms Millwood said.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli gave his condolences.
‘Our hearts are with the Innisfail community as they grapple with this tragedy,’ he said.
