Authorities in Virginia say a father who discovered his child had unintentionally passed away inside his car looks to have committed suicide.
According to a release from the Chesterfield County Police Department, a father and his 18-month-old son were discovered dead at their home on Tuesday.
The 37-year-old father, as reported by ABC affiliate WRIC-TV, was found dead in the woods behind his house, according to police.
The father discovered his son dead in the car earlier in the day after parking it outside of his place of employment for at least three hours, according to the site, which cited police.
Although it is unknown if the child’s death was caused by a heat-related disease, authorities stated they are treating the child’s passing as an accident.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Chris Hensley, “This is a sad tragedy on so many levels, and our hearts go out to the family and friends who are going to deal with this.”
According to the department’s news release, the toddler’s death was first reported to the CCPD just before noon on Tuesday.
According to the press release, police claimed they were also informed that the man was “making suicide statements” just before they discovered him dead behind his house.
According to Hensley, who spoke to the media on Tuesday, the adult victim informed a family member of his son’s death not long after discovering the toddler in his car, reported WRIC-TV.
According to reports, police think the toddler was left in the car for at least three hours.
Before his apparent suicide in the backyard, the father brought his son into the house.
