The tragic death of a baby boy found unresponsive in his mother’s car outside a Lexington day care has shocked the local community. The infant, who would have celebrated his first birthday later this month, never made it inside the day care on the day of his death. Authorities suspect that he may have been in the car for an extended period of time before being discovered.
The Middlesex District Attorney and Lexington Chief of Police have stated that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of the child’s death. While the family has not been publicly identified, Lexington Fire Chief Derek Sencabaugh confirmed that they are local residents. The investigation into this heartbreaking incident is ongoing.
According to reports, the baby boy was found unresponsive in the parking lot of the day care on Massachusetts Avenue. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The founder and principal of Sol Solecito day care, Nelly Mayorga, revealed that the infant did not attend school that day. The center’s policy of taking attendance and notifying parents of absent children was followed, but the mother did not respond to messages.
Tragically, incidents of children being left in hot cars leading to their deaths are not uncommon in the United States. Kids and Car Safety reports that an average of 38 children die each year in hot cars, with the incident in Lexington marking the 22nd such death in 2024. The organization emphasizes that these tragedies often occur when loving and responsible parents unknowingly leave their child in the car due to changes in routine, stress, fatigue, and distractions.
To prevent such heartbreaking accidents, Kids and Car Safety recommends simple yet effective measures for parents and caregivers. These include placing a visual cue like the child’s diaper bag in the front seat or placing a necessary item in the back seat to ensure that caregivers check the back before leaving the vehicle. These small actions can help prevent the devastating consequences of leaving a child unattended in a car.
As the community mourns the loss of the baby boy in Lexington, authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of vigilance and awareness when it comes to the safety of children, especially in situations involving vehicles. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.