RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — The Richland County Coroner's Office has released the name of a child who died after being found in a hot car on Friday, May 4.
The Richland County Sheriff's Department said deputies were initially called to a reported missing person on Parliament Lake Drive around 1 p.m. Deputies began searching and found the victim, a missing three-year-old, inside a hot car. The child was taken to the hospital but died.
On Saturday, Coroner Naida Rutherford identified the child as Armani Shoemaker of Columbia.
“Our hearts are broken by the life of Armani being cut short by this unexpected tragedy," Rutherford said. "Losing a child is one of the most unimaginable situations that can happen, and our thoughts and prayers go out to this family.
Rutherford added that her office is working with the Richland County Sheriff's Department to investigate the incident thoroughly.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says never leave children or pets in a parked car. Even if it feels cool outside, temperatures inside the vehicle can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within the first 10 minutes, even with a window cracked open.
The health organization offers these tips for traveling with children in warmer weather:
- Never leave infants or children in a parked car, even if the windows are open.
- Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Make sure they’re drinking plenty of fluids. Stay away from really cold drinks or drinks with too much sugar.
- To remind yourself that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal in the car seat. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver.
- When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car. Do not overlook any children who have fallen asleep in the car.
- Seek medical care immediately if your child has symptoms of heat-related illness.
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