St.
Marys infant died of hyperthermia, report shows
Jul. 1—ST. MARYS — A preliminary autopsy report
issued by the Lucas County Coroner's Office shows a 1-year-old
St. Marys girl died last month of hyperthermia, the result of
being left in a hot car — possibly for hours.
Hyperthermia is defined on various medical websites as a
condition of having a body temperature greatly above normal.
The Lima News was able to view the one-page preliminary
report in the office of the Auglaize County commissioners
Thursday morning. A complete autopsy report will be filed at a
later date, as is customary.
St. Marys Police Chief Jacob
Sutton earlier this week said his office's investigation into
the June 13 death of Ceicila Harting has been turned over to the
Auglaize County Prosecutor's Office.
Police and emergency
medical personnel were dispatched on that Sunday to 116 N. Vine
St. in St. Marys after being notified of an unresponsive child.
When first responders arrived at the residence, the infant was
found in cardiac arrest and was transported to Joint Township
District Memorial Hospital, where she was later pronounced
deceased.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to all those
affected by this very tragic incident," Sutton wrote in a press
release the day following the incident.
Auglaize County
Prosecuting Attorney Ed Pierce could not be reached for comment
Thursday concerning the status of the investigation.
“Any time there’s a loss of a child, it’s just a very tragic event no
matter if it’s by natural means or by accident or by some other means,” he
said.