Police Identify Norman Toddler Found Dead In Car

News9.com

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- A missing Norman three-year-old was found unresponsive Friday afternoon in a car at 1400 Forest Glenn Circle.

He has been identified as Nate Littledeer.

According to Norman police, a teenage related of the child had been babysitting and notified them when the boy went missing about 2:20 p.m.

Upon their arrival, the officers and babysitter found Nate inside a vehicle parked in the driveway.

Paramedics transported the unresponsive toddler to Norman Regional Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Norman detectives are continuing to investigate the case along with the Oklahoma medical examiner's office.

Police say at the time they were looking for Nate Littledeer, it was 96 degrees outside with a heat index of 102.

Child safety experts say temperatures inside the car were likely around 125 degrees and a child that small could have become disoriented within 10 or 15 minutes.

According to the website kidsandcars.org, this is the 20th death involving a child in a car this year.  In 30 percent of cases where children die in hot cars, the children crawled in the vehicle on their own and then couldn't get out.

That's why safety advocates recommend parents should always lock their cars, hide the keys and key fobs, and if a child is missing, check your car and trunk first.