‘Hard to fathom:’ 1-year-old dies in hot car, police say

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Gray News) – A 1-year-old died after being left inside a hot car Sunday, according to authorities with the Albuquerque Police Department.

Gilbert Gallegos, the communications director for the Albuquerque Police Department, said the baby was left inside the vehicle from mid-morning to about 5 p.m., KOAT reported.

Authorities said the child was in the care of a relative who lived at the home. He didn’t realize the child wasn’t with him until family ed him later in the day, according to Gallegos.

“Anyone should be careful about their kids in the car,” Gallegos said. “You know we live in a crazy world. People are rushed and may not be thinking clearly.”

Officials said first responders attempted to revive the child, but the 1-year-old died at the scene.

“Any death is obviously a tragedy, but a 1-year-old is really difficult to fathom. I know the family is really devastated at the scene, and it was a pretty large, extended family,” Gallegos said. “I ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”

Before this death, three other children have died in hot cars so far in 2025, according to kidsandcars.org.

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