-Editorial
A toddler died on the evening of Aug. 18 after being found unresponsive inside a vehicle in El Centro, according to police.
The El Centro Police Department reported that officers responded at about 5:30 p.m. on August 18 to the 700 block of Woodward Avenue following a call for medical aid involving a child. Upon arrival, officers administered lifesaving measures before the child was transported to El Centro Regional Medical Center. Despite efforts from officers and medical personnel, the child was pronounced dead.
Investigators determined the toddler had been left unattended inside a vehicle parked outside the family’s residence for an extended period of time. The child’s father, Jose Hernandez, 37, of El Centro, was arrested on multiple charges related to the incident, authorities said.
The department’s Investigations Bureau continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the case.
With summer heat intensifying across California, the California Highway Patrol is once again reminding parents and caregivers of the dangers of leaving young children unattended inside vehicles.
Officials warn that the interior of a parked car can become dangerously hot within minutes, even when outside temperatures feel moderate. According to safety data, a vehicle’s temperature can climb by about 20 degrees in just 20 minutes. In one documented case, a car heated from 80 degrees outside to more than 100 degrees inside in under 10 minutes.
Children are particularly vulnerable in these situations. Their bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults, and they are less able to regulate temperature through sweating. Prolonged exposure can lead to heatstroke, organ failure, unconsciousness, or death.
Nationwide, an average of 37 children die in hot cars each year, with more than 1,000 deaths reported since 1998. In 2024 alone, 39 children lost their lives to vehicular heatstroke. As of mid-2025, 21 deaths have already been reported. California ranks among the states with the highest totals, with at least 56 such deaths recorded since 1998.
CHP has made hot-car safety a regular part of its summer messaging. In a 2019 bulletin, the agency warned: “Never leave pets, children, or the elderly alone in a car for any length of time,” urging witnesses to dial 911 immediately if they see a child left unattended. CHP also operates a statewide Child Passenger Safety Program, deploying thousands of trained technicians since 1999 to ensure car seats are installed correctly—a broader effort to protect children on the road.
Safety experts recommend adopting simple habits to prevent tragedies. The “ACT” method encourages parents to Avoid leaving children in vehicles, Create reminders such as placing a purse or cell phone in the back seat, and Take action by calling 911 if they spot a child left alone. Some new vehicles now feature back-seat reminders, and federal safety standards are expected to make the technology more widespread by 2025.
Experts stress that cracked windows or air conditioning are not reliable safeguards, and the safest practice is to always check the back seat before locking the car. Parents and bystanders should also be able to recognize signs of heatstroke, which include hot or dry skin, confusion, nausea, and a rapid or weak pulse.
