Updated: Thursday, 12:51 p.m.
The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its investigation into the death of a toddler found unresponsive Tuesday evening in the southern area of rural Cowley County.
According to a news release from the sheriff’s office Thursday, investigators confirmed the child’s death was due to heat.
The heat index for the region was as high as 109 degrees Tuesday afternoon.
The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the 18000 block of 296th Road in rural Maple City for an unresponsive 2-year-old child.
Authorities said the child was laid down for a nap by the mother, but when the child woke up, the child was able to unlock the front door of the home and enter the family vehicle outside.
The child was located by the mother unconscious and unresponsive in the vehicle.
Life saving measures were attempted and the child was transported to the SCK Medical Center north of Ark City where the child was pronounced deceased.
A preliminary finding at autopsy determined the child died due to extreme heat exposure.
“The investigation of this case is concluded,” the sheriff’s office said in its news release. “This is a very tragic death to the community of Cowley County. Our prayers and condolences go out to the family.”
From Wednesday:
A Cowley County toddler was found unresponsive Tuesday evening and died, according to information from the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday morning.
Cowley County Sheriff Dave Falletti said that medical personnel and deputies were dispatched to a rural residence in southern Cowley County Tuesday evening at approximately 6:07 p.m. for an unresponsive 2-year-old child.
Early indications show that the child died due to heat.
The heat index for the region was as high as 109 degrees Tuesday afternoon.
The case is still under investigation.
Falletti said there appears to be no foul play at this time.
