Clayton News Daily

Photo by Hugh Osteen

By Kathy Jefcoats

kjefcoats@news-daily.com

Clayton County Police are investigating the Monday-afternoon death of a toddler left in a daycare van, following a field trip to Fayetteville.

Officer John Schneller said kids and staff at Marlo's Magnificent Early Learning Center, in Jonesboro, returned from a trip to Chuck E. Cheese about 1:30 to 2 p.m. It was about 3:30 p.m. when someone noticed that Jazmin Green, 2, did not make it into the facility on Thrasher Court.

Schneller said someone called 911 and officers arrived two minutes later. The child was taken to Southern Regional Medical Center, in Riverdale. Schneller said Monday evening was too early to know the cause of death, and an autopsy will likely be performed today.

Officers on the scene said the inside temperature of a patrol car tested at 138 degrees, but a more scientific test would be done today to determine the temperature inside a van similar to the one in which Green was found.

"We want to get an accurate reading to see how high it spiked up inside the van," said Schneller.

Lt. Tina Daniel offered a web site for parents to learn more about taking precautions during the hot summer months, www.safekids.org.

"In weather like this, it doesn't take any time at all for temperatures to reach a deathly point," she said. "People need to take special care with children, the elderly and even pets. We preach this and preach this."