NSW Police says girl, 1, dies after being found unresponsive in car in Earlwood

Police believe a baby girl found dead inside a car outside a Sydney childcare centre may have been left in the vehicle for some time.

A one-year-old girl has died after she was left inside a car outside a childcare centre for what police believe was “an extended period of time”.

Emergency services were called after the baby was found unresponsive in the vehicle on Marana Rd, Earlwood about 5.35pm on Tuesday.

The cause of death is yet to be determined, but NSW Police believe she was left inside the vehicle.

Temperatures in the area reached almost 30C on Tuesday afternoon.

“Leaving a child in a vehicle at any time can be dangerous. Leaving a child inside a vehicle for an extended period of time can be deadly,” Superintendent Christine McDonald, Commander of Burwood Police Area Command told reporters.

Police are investigating after a child was found dead in a car outside a Sydney childcare centre. Picture: NewsWire / Jonathan Ng

Emergency services were called when the baby girl was found unresponsive in the car about 5.35pm on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire / Jonathan Ng

A crime scene has been established and an investigation into the tragedy is underway.

Superintendent McDonald said all lines of inquiry were being investigated by detectives from Burwood Police Area Command.

“The timeline of events – we need to seek that information from people that we’re currently speaking to or waiting to speak to,” she said.

NSW Ambulance paramedics attended but the little girl died at the scene.

A male occupant of the vehicle – believed to be related to the child – is assisting police with their inquiries.

Police will continue investigations into the tragic death of a one-year-old baby girl in a car in Earlwood on Monday. Picture: NewsWire / Jonathan Ng

Two years ago, a similar tragedy occurred when three-year-old Arikh Hasan was found dead in the back of a Toyota Corolla in Sydney’s southwest as temperatures climbed to 34 degrees.

The young boy’s father Newaz Hasan was reportedly dropping his eldest son off at Glenfield Public school that morning, when he decided to get petrol before taking his younger son to childcare.

However witnesses say the father forgot his sleeping child in the back of the car and continued straight home.

Child safety advocates Kidsafe say more than 5000 children are rescued from hot cars in Australia every year – the majority being babies and toddlers.

“Leaving children unattended in a car – even for a short period of time – can be fatal,” reads information on Kidsafe’s website.

“Children are particularly at risk because they can lose fluid quickly, become dehydrated and suffer from heatstroke.”

Originally published as NSW Police says girl, 1, dies after being found unresponsive in car in Earlwood