A 23-month-old boy died Monday in Plantation, Florida, after remaining for several hours inside a vehicle parked in front of a daycare center, in a case that remains under investigation by local authorities.

The Plantation Police and Fire Department reported that they responded around 5:39 pm to a report of an unconscious minor inside a car at the A World of Discovery Academy facility.

Upon arriving at the scene, emergency teams confirmed the death of the child.

The father discovered that he had never been dropped off at daycare

According to statements offered by Leslie Novoa, owner of the educational center, the child's father arrived at the end of the day to pick him up.

It was then that the staff informed him that the minor had not attended that day.

According to the story spread by local media, the man went to the vehicle and discovered that the child remained in the back seat.

Novoa indicated that he called the emergency service along with the father after the discovery.

The director of the center claimed to have known the family for approximately six years and described the parents as close people and committed to caring for their children.

Authorities have not released the identities of the minor or his family members and have not reported whether charges will be filed.

The investigation seeks to establish the exact sequence of events and the time the child remained inside the vehicle.

The daycare later issued a statement in which it expressed condolences and assured that its immediate priority is to accompany the family and the educational community.

Deaths due to heat inside vehicles continue to be a concern in the United States

Organizations dedicated to preventing these types of incidents have warned that children are especially vulnerable to high temperatures inside closed vehicles.

Data from the Kids and Car Safety organization indicate that every year dozens of minors die in the United States from exposure to heat inside cars, and that a significant portion of these cases occur when the responsible adult believes they have left the child somewhere else or alters their usual routine.

Experts recommend setting reminders to always check the back seat before leaving the vehicle and keeping essential items next to the child to reduce the risk of inadvertent forgetting.