A toddler who died after she was found abandoned in a parked car had been left there for a ‘significant time’ while her parents were ‘at work and looking after family’.
The two-year-old girl was found by emergency services in a vehicle in Innisfail’s Cassowary Coast Council car park near Cairns in far north Queensland.
They were called out to conduct a welfare check just before 1pm on Monday after worried locals raised the alarm as temperatures soared past 30C
Paramedics treated the girl at the scene before she was rushed to Innisfail Hospital in a critical condition, but could not be revived.
Queensland Police Superintendent Mick Searle 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.’
He said it was too early to comment on whether any charges were expected to be laid, but confirmed the parents said they were working and with family at the time.
He said it was a difficult time for first responders and support was being provided to them.
Speaking yesterday, Cassowary Coast Mayor Teresa Millwood said it was a tragic event.
‘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,’ she said.
Mourners flocked to social media to offer their condolences to the family, with some laying flowers where the car was parked.
