Parents Won’t Be Charged In 1-Year-Old’s Death In Hot Car

The parents of a one-year-old boy who died of heatstroke after he was found unattended inside a hot car will not be charged, Burbank Police announced on Saturday.

The Cook County Medical Examiner attributed the boy’s death to heatstroke due to possible neglect and upgraded the death investigation to a homicide investigation earlier in the day.

The 20-month-old boy, identified as Ivan Villa in news reports, was found unresponsive inside the family car in the 4800 block of West 85th Street around 5:50 p.m. Friday.

The boy was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m.

In a news release issued Saturday, Burbank Police termed the boy’s death a “tragic accident.”

“After a thorough investigation by the Burbank Police Department and conferring with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office, it has been determined no charges will be filed against the parents of the young toddler discovered deceased in the family vehicle on August 30th, 2013.  This determination is based on a review of the State Statute, facts of the case, and the findings of the Medical Examiner, as the parents showed no intent or had any knowledge the child was left within the vehicle.”

The Chicago Tribune reported that 1-year-old Ivan Villa was pulled unconscious from the family’s car after being left unattended for 2 ½ hours in mid-90s heat.

The child’s family are long-time residents of Burbank and had moved into the home in 2012. The family reportedly has five children.

“While this is a most tragic circumstance, the family now has to prepare for a funeral and endure the grieving process of the loss of their child,” Burbank Police officials said.

Read earlier Patch coverage of the Burbank Police's death investigation.