A tragic incident in Santee is under the magnifying glass of the Sheriff's Child Abuse Unit after the death of a two-month-old baby. According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the baby girl was found unresponsive inside an SUV on Thursday. A 911 call led deputies and paramedics to the 10000 block of Settle Road, where they attempted life-saving measures before transporting her to Sharp Grossmont Hospital. Tragically, she later passed away.

The investigation is still ongoing as the County Medical Examiner's Office works on comprehensively identifying the baby and determining the exact cause and manner of death. In light of this heart-wrenching event, the Sheriff’s Department has issued a stark reminder: It is illegal to leave your child in a car unattended. This cautionary note stems from Kaitlyn's Law, named after a six-month-old baby who passed away in 2000 after being left in a scorching hot car for over two hours.

We often associate the summer with carefree days, but it presents a silent danger as temperatures inside a vehicle can skyrocket rapidly. Santee deputies underscore the importance of vigilance to prevent a reoccurrence of such tragedies. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are being advised to double-check their cars before locking the doors. A simple routine check - "Where's Baby? Look Before You Lock" – could be a lifesaving one. Tips for maintaining awareness include placing personal items in the backseat and childcare providers being alerted to call if a child hasn't arrived as scheduled.

A car may appear as an innocuous entity, but it poses real threats when used as a makeshift playground or hideaway. The safety campaign stresses the importance of locking your vehicle and keeping keys and fobs out of children's reach. Additionally, it instructs the public to act with urgency and call 9-1-1 if they spot a child left alone in a locked car. Immediate action, such as extricating the child and applying cool water, is crucial since heatstroke can take effect quickly in children due to their smaller body size and the expedient increase of body heat in extreme temperatures.

In response to the ongoing risk of vehicular heatstroke, the Sheriff's Department is offering complimentary child car safety classes. Specialists trained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provide instruction on the right installation and check of car seats, restraints, and seat belts. Details on how to prevent heatstroke are also covered in these sessions.