Police: 2-year-old dies after being left in car for hours in Florida, father arrested

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (WPEC) — A 2-year-old died after the toddler was left in a car for several hours in Florida, according to authorities.

The Port St. Lucie Police Department said officers received reports of a child locked in a car around 1:15 p.m. on Monday

Police said a 911 call came from the toddler's father, 37-year-old James Fidele. He told police he forgot to take his child out of the car when he arrived home earlier that morning.

Officers said they began life-saving measures, until the child was rushed to the hospital by St. Lucie County Fire Rescue but the toddler later was pronounced dead.

Criminal Investigations Division Detectives arrested and charged Fidele with leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle causing great bodily harm.

The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified, and the Port St. Lucie Police Department Victims Assistance Unit provided support and resources to the family.