Police in Limpopo have opened a case of culpable homicide following the tragic death of a three-year-old girl who was found locked inside a car parked at Seshego Hospital on Monday afternoon.
According to police, the toddler was discovered inside a blue Toyota Corolla Cross parked within the hospital premises. Reports suggest that she had been trapped inside the vehicle for several hours before being found.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said police received a complaint about a possible culpable homicide incident at Seshego Hospital at around 3:10 pm. Officers rushed to the scene, where a doctor pointed out the parked vehicle.
“Upon arrival, the members found a medical practitioner who pointed out a blue Toyota Corolla Cross motor vehicle parked inside the hospital yard,” said Ledwaba.
“Police were informed about a three-year-old baby girl who was allegedly found locked inside the vehicle with the windows closed while seated on the back seat.”
Medical staff pronounced the child dead at the scene after she succumbed to the intense heat and lack of oxygen while trapped inside the vehicle.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the child had allegedly been left in the car by her mother earlier that day.
“Information gathered so far indicates that at about 7:00 am, the deceased was left by her mother inside the motor vehicle when she rushed for a handover session at the medical facility and seemingly forgot about her in the car,” Ledwaba added.
Police have opened a case of culpable homicide at Seshego police station to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
A pathological forensic analysis will be conducted to establish the precise cause of death.
The heartbreaking incident has shocked the Seshego community and raised serious concerns about negligence and child safety, especially during the heatwave gripping parts of Limpopo.
Police investigations are continuing.
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