During a record heatwave in Arizona, a 4-month-old baby died on board their family's boat. The investigation has revealed what happened to cause the tragic death.
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The family was on Lake Havasu in Arizona, enjoying the heatwave on their boat, when the 4-month-old lost consciousness. The temperature had hit an unbearable 120 degrees, and they were completely exposed in the middle of the water.
Due to the excessive heat, their baby lost consciousness around 5 pm. The family immediately rushed the boat back to shore, alerting emergency services. Family members performed CPR on the infant until the ambulance arrived. The child was then transported to Havasu Regional Medical Center, where the 4-month-old girl died.
4-Month-Old Dies of Exposure
The medical inspection has revealed that the baby died from exposure to high temperatures. This led to the 4-month-old suffering from hemorrhagic shock, anoxic brain injury, and dehydration. Hemorrhagic shock is a situation where blood loss prevents oxygen from traveling to essential parts of the body.
Furthermore, anoxic brain injury is the result of oxygen not being able to reach the brain. Due to the intense heat the 4-month-old endured, she died from oxygen loss. Her small, fragile body couldn't cope with the 120-degree Arizona heat.
The family, despite being able to afford a boat and take lake holidays, still took to GoFundMe to beg for money. Their negligence had led to the death of their child, yet they still requested compensation. The child needed a funeral, but that is something they could pay for, even by selling the boat they neglected to shield their child from the sun on.
Since then, the GoFundMe has been deactivated due to its nature. However, before it was taken down, they had managed to raise almost $50,000.
The death of the 4-month-old child is being deemed as an accident caused by exposure to elevated environmental temperatures. However, it should be taken as a warning to other parents with young children in extreme heat.
Babies are incredibly delicate and need to be kept at reasonable temperatures at all times. This incident could have been avoided with due care and attention.
