A 3-year-old boy died after being found inside a vehicle parked at an education center in Miami Gardens on Monday afternoon.
The incident occurred at around 3:47 p.m. near the 700 block of Northwest 173rd Street.
Miami Gardens Police officials said officers were called to the Lubavitch Educational Center with a report of an unresponsive child inside of a vehicle.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported the boy to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead by doctors. It's unknown exactly how long he may have been in the vehicle.
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According to NBC 6 meteorologists, the day's heat index was 101 degrees and temperatures were at 92 degrees just before 4 p.m., around the time the child was found.
The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner identified the boy as Sholom Tauber, and confirmed he died of hyperthermia, or an overheated body, and classified his death as an accident.
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In a statement, the Dean of Lubavitch Education Center, Rabbi Benzion Korf, said Tauber was the son of two staff members.
"We are beyond devastated that we experienced an accident on the Lubavitch Education Center (LEC) campus today involving a private vehicle, which resulted in the untimely passing of the 3-year-old son of two staff members," Korf's statement read. "This tragedy hits close to home, and many in our school community have been affected by it. No words can capture the heartbreak and sadness we feel."
Experts said parents should make a habit of checking the backseat every time they park, even when there aren't kids in the car. Visual reminders in the front seat, like a diaper bag or stuffed animals, can also help.
