Heatwave tragedy: Italian toddler forgotten in car succumbs
19 July 2024 17:57
A tragic situation occurred in Italy. A distracted father forgot to take his little daughter to daycare. Hours spent inside the car resulted in the child being unrescuable. The girl's mother asks for understanding.
The heatwave currently affecting millions of homes is not exclusive to Poland. In many countries, temperatures are significantly higher than usual. Meteorologists agree: this summer is the hottest in history. The heatwave has taken a deadly toll in numerous countries. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the heat. Doctors are urging people to stay indoors and stay hydrated, while police are warning against leaving people or animals in cars.
Father forgot about his daughter
A massive tragedy occurred in Italy on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Lucio Petrizzi, the father of 22-month-old Elena, was supposed to take her to daycare. The distracted man, preoccupied with thoughts of his work, forgot his daughter was sleeping in the car seat and went to the veterinary clinic where he works as a professor of veterinary medicine. He realized his mistake when he returned to the car five hours later.
After five hours, the veterinarian's coworkers noticed Elena locked in the car and immediately informed her father. Petrizzi ran to the parking lot. In the back seat car seat, nearly two-year-old Elena was barely breathing. The man immediately called an ambulance, which fought to save the child's life until they were exhausted. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors pronounced the girl dead due to brain swelling. The parents, upon hearing of their child's death, lost consciousness and were also transported to the hospital.
The girl's mother appeals to the media
Chiara Sciarrini, Elena’s mother, appealed to all interested parties, asking for understanding for her partner. In a statement to the Italian media, the woman wrote: "What happened to him could have happened to anyone. I want to shout to the whole world how much my partner loved his daughter. He is an exemplary father."
The local prosecutor ordered an autopsy of Elena, which will take place early next week. It is not yet known if the girl's father will face charges. The nearly two-year-old saved the lives of two children after her death: a two-year-old girl and a little boy received Elena's heart and liver after her parents consented to an organ transplant for their daughter.
