CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA. (THECOUNT) — A Chesterfield County, Virginia father committed suicide Tuesday after his 18-month-old son died as a result of being left in a hot car Tuesday.
Police said the man was found dead in the woods near his Midlothian home of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after the child was left in the car for as many as three hours.
|
Advertisement |
The sad incident occurred on Aldengate Road in Midlothian, Chesterfield on Tuesday.
According to WRIC-TV, the man’s family members called the Chesterfield Police Department at about 11:42 p.m. after he called relatives to inform them of the child’s death and of his suicidal plans.
“As [police officers] were responding, they were advised that there may be a deceased child at the residence,” Chesterfield Police Lt. Col. Christopher Hensley told WTVR.
According to WRIC, police said a second family member who contacted the department while officers were en route to the Aldengate Road residence stated that they had been made aware that the toddler was never dropped off at daycare Tuesday morning.
“Upon their arrival, they located a vehicle in the driveway with an open door with the empty child seat in the vehicle. As they made entry into the residence, they found a deceased 18-month- old inside,” he added.
The 37-year-old father was found dead by officers in the woods behind the home of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, WRIC reported.
Hensley called the situation a “horrible tragedy on so many levels,” WTVR reported.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends that are going to deal with this, but we would be remiss in not taking the opportunity for people to take this moment and realize how important it is to obviously check your vehicles as you go through.”
Geo quick facts: Chesterfield County is a county located just south of Richmond in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county’s borders are primarily defined by the James River to the north and the Appomattox River to the south. Its county seat is Chesterfield Court House – Wikipedia.