3-year-old Indiana boy dies inside hot car after professor father forgets to take child out and drop him at daycare
A toddler was found dead inside a hot car on the campus of the University of Southern Indiana after his father had forgotten to take him out and drop him off at a daycare there.
Deputies from the Vanderburgh County sheriff's office (VCSO) responded to the campus at 1:46 pm on July 9 on reports of a medical emergency involving a toddler, according to a press release.
The three-year-old, identified as Oliver Dill, was found to be unresponsive, and despite the life-saving measures attempted by deputies, USI Public Safety personnel, AMR Ambulance services, and Perry Township Fire Department personnel, he could not be saved.
Oliver died on the scene, with Vanderburgh County Coroner's Office and VCSO sheriff's detectives working alongside USI Public Safety to investigate the death.
It was determined that the toddler's father, Dr. Andrew Dill, an assistant professor of accounting at the university, had driven to the campus with his son that morning but had forgotten to drop him off at the Children's Learning Center on campus.
When the married father-of-two went to pick Oliver up that afternoon at the center, he realized to his horror that his son was still in his car seat.
By that time, the toddler had been left in the car for several hours in temperatures that touched nearly 90-degrees Fahrenheit — which meant that the temperatures inside the vehicle would have been anywhere between 104F and 119F.
Speaking about the incident, VCSO Sheriff Major Jason Ashworth said, "On my way out here, the temperature in my car was in the mid 90′s, so I’m certain the temperature inside the car went over 100 degrees, so, obviously, parents just need to be aware and make sure they double check their cars before they get out."
USI president Ronald Rochon also released a statement following Oliver's tragic death where he announced that the Children's Learning Center would be closed for the next day and possibly the rest of the week and expressed his condolences for the family.
"The Children's Learning Center (CLC) will be closed tomorrow, July 10, and we are assessing if it will reopen later in the week," the statement read. "We understand this will be inconvenient for parents who need childcare, but our thoughts right now are in supporting the individuals who are deeply affected by this tragedy and will need some time to process their grief to best support the children in their care. We will provide updates to parents on when the CLC will reopen as soon as possible."
"Our deepest condolences go out to the family of this young child. This is a loss no parent should bear," it continued. "If you have a child in your life, please hug them tight and remember that counseling services are available if you need them."