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2-Year-Old Found Dead in Hot Minivan; Mother Says Babysitter’s Father Forgot Her

The Broward State Attorney is reviewing the investigation as the medical examiner prepares a final report.

Overview

  • Police say 2-year-old Brittany was discovered unresponsive in the back seat of a gold 2012 Honda Odyssey and later pronounced dead after being inside the vehicle for about three hours on Sunday.
  • The child’s mother, Cristina López Ramírez, says the babysitter’s father picked up Brittany and forgot to remove her from the minivan, a claim cited in local reports.
  • Officials say the Hallandale Beach Police Department notified prosecutors and that the Broward State Attorney’s Office is assessing whether criminal charges are appropriate; no charging decision has been announced.
  • Local accounts note the day reached roughly 92°F and experts warn children can suffer life‑threatening heat exposure within minutes when left in closed vehicles.
  • The family has set up a GoFundMe for funeral costs and the case has prompted calls from police for caregivers to adopt simple routines, such as always checking the back seat, to prevent similar tragedies.