8-week-old infant dies after being left in hot car; father facing charges

LAKEWOOD TWP., New Jersey (WPVI) -- A New Jersey father is facing charges after his infant daughter died as a result of being left in a hot car this week, according to prosecutors.

Lakewood Township police responded to the area of New Egypt Roadaround 1:45 p.m. Monday for a report of an 8-week-old girl in cardiac arrest.

According to court documents, the infant had been in the car since around 9:20 a.m.

The infant died at the scene despite life-saving efforts, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

A further investigation determined the cause and manner of death was due to the infant being left unattended in her father's car for a long period of time during the dangerous heat, officials said.

The heat index - what temperature it feels like with humidity - soared to 107 degrees in Lakewood Township on Monday.

The infant's father, 28-year-old Avraham Chaitovsky of Jackson Township was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the incident.

Authorities say additional charges may be forthcoming.

Further details on the case have not been released.

At least 11 children have died in hot cars across the U.S. so far this year, according to national nonprofitKidsAndCars.org.

Since 1990, at least 1,095 children have died in hot cars and about 88% of those kids were 3 years old or younger.

RELATED: What to know about hot car dangers for children amid excessive heat warning

Amy Artuso with the National Safety Council says if you see a child left in a car it's important to act fast.

"Children are at greater risk because their bodies don't regulate temperature as well as adults," Artuso said. "When a child's core body temperature reaches 104 degrees, the situation starts to become fatal."

According to our 6abc Data Journalism Team, 969 children have died in hot cars from 1998 to 2023.

Fourteen of them were in Pennsylvania and 15 were in New Jersey.

Artuso says a change in routine can often trip up parents or caregivers.

"Anything parents can do to make it a habit to always check the backseat before leaving," said Artuso. "I like to recommend putting your cell phone in a secure spot in the backseat."