MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — An investigation is underway into the death of an infant found in hot car in Morgantown.
The child was found by EMS personnel in a parked SUV at 3610 Collins Ferry Road on Wednesday afternoon, according to Morgantown Police. The officers arrived shortly after 3 p.m., where they observed EMS tending to the child, who was already dead when they arrived.
Morgantown Police Chief Eric Powell said the EMS on scene alerted them of the circumstances of the incident when officers arrived.
“Officers observed EMS personnel located at a parked SUV in the parking lot, after approaching the vehicle, officers observed a young child seated in a rear facing child seat in the back seat of the vehicle,” said Powell. “Officers were advised by medical personnel that the child was deceased.”
The child was reportedly found seated in a rear-facing child seat facing the back seat of the SUV. Once the child was declared deceased, MPD detectives were called to the scene, where they were later joined by the state Medical Examiner’s Office to further investigate what exactly happened. Powell added that, while no charges have been filed at the moment, the investigation is still active on both a local and state level.
“This case is currently under investigation by the Morgantown Police Department and the State Medical Examiner’s Office,” said Powell. “At this time, no charges have been filed, and information is still being gathered.”
Powell also expressed condolences on behalf of the Morgantown Police Department to the family and friends of the young child. Though there was no timetable for the investigation, MPD Detectives and the State Medical Examiner’s Office intend to make sure any information that is discovered related to the child’s death is accounted for.
“The Morgantown Police Department wishes to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends that have been directly impacted by this tragic loss,” said Powell. “As well as recognizing the devastating impact such a loss is to the community,” he said.
Police officers who responded were also offered psychiatric counseling services after they returned to headquarters. Powell mentioned that this included an optional critical incident stress debriefing as well as services offered by Mon EMS and Valley Mental Health. Powell has also reached out to the responding officers as well as MPD detectives as they continue their investigation.
“They have been personally spoken to by myself, the ones that I’ve been able to talk to (the day after the call), just checking on their welfare and wellbeing,” said Powell. “Giving them that opportunity to take advantage of those services.”
Powell encourages citizens who see any suspicious criminal activity or are in danger to call the MPD Switchboard at 304-284-7522 or dial 911.