Tragedy near Stuttgart: Toddler left in car — mother went to work
A devastating tragedy has struck Schorndorf near Stuttgart, where a small child was found lifeless inside a parked car. Despite immediate emergency efforts, the toddler could not be revived, and authorities have launched a criminal investigation.
The Stuttgart public prosecutor’s office is investigating the child’s 44-year-old mother on suspicion of negligent homicide. Officials say she has requested legal counsel and has not yet been questioned, and it remains unclear whether she will make a formal statement.
According to reports, the mother had planned to drop her daughter off at daycare before going to work but allegedly forgot the child in the car. She reportedly parked near a climbing hall in Schorndorf and went to work, only returning to her vehicle around 3 p.m.
Emergency responders, including a doctor and paramedics, attempted to revive the child immediately after she was discovered. However, the approximately 20-month-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.
Investigators are now examining whether extreme heat contributed to the tragedy, as the German Weather Service had issued heat warnings in the region at the time. Schorndorf, located in the Rems-Murr district of Baden-Württemberg, experienced high temperatures, raising concerns about dangerous conditions inside parked vehicles.
Authorities are still working to determine the full sequence of events and whether other medical or situational factors played a role, while the case has deeply shocked the local community.