AMHERST COUNTY, Va. – A two-year-old boy is dead after being left in a hot car for over eight hours on Thursday, Amherst County Sheriff’s Office said.
ACSO said they were informed of a two-year-old child who wasn’t breathing at the Chestnut Academy Daycare around 3:42 p.m. on Thursday. Upon arrival, they found a two-year-old boy unresponsive. First aid was administered, and the child was then taken to Lynchburg General Hospital by medical units. Sadly, the child was pronounced dead at 4:40 p.m.
Following an investigation, authorities discovered that the boy’s caretaker did not drop him off at the daycare on Thursday morning. Instead, the caretaker took the child to work and left him in the back seat of the car unattended.
The sheriff’s office said the caretaker left work to pick the child up from the daycare. Upon arrival, he found the boy unconscious in the backseat. The child had reportedly been left in the car for over eight hours.
The custodian was identified as Brian Dalton. He was detained at the scene and charged with abuse and neglect of children and involuntary manslaughter.
This investigation is still ongoing. We will update you with more information as it becomes available.