The parents of a girl who died after being found unconscious in a parked car have been described as a “loving family”.
Emergency services found the two-year-old girl in a vehicle in the Cassowary Coast Regional Council car park in Innisfail, Far North Queensland, on Monday afternoon.
They were called to conduct a welfare check just before 1pm on Monday after worried locals raised the alarm when temperatures soared to 30.4C.
Paramedics treated the girl at the scene and then rushed her to Innisfail Hospital, where staff continued CPR, but were unable to revive her.
The girl’s parents, identified as city employee Jason Hemingway and Yoanywe Diaz, have not been charged with any crime by police.
A local priest, Father Kerry Crowley of Mother of Good Counsel parish, has confirmed that they are members of the church community.
“Many families have come to me to ask how we can help Jason and Yoanywe, they have no words, they don’t know what to say, but they want to help,” he told courier mail.
‘A lot of people look at themselves the same way and think, “What if it was my son?”
Cassowary Coast Regional Council employee Jason Hemingway has been identified as the child’s father and has not been charged with any crime.
Queensland Police have described their investigation as “complex and detailed”
‘It is certainly a community that wants to help, and my response right now is prayer: pray for them.
‘They are a loving family, a very respected family and a family of faith. Their daughter was full of life and charm and is no longer with them, but she will be their angel.’
Mr. Hemingway works in the Information, Communication and Technology department of the local council.
Queensland Police Superintendent Mick Searle on Tuesday described the investigation as “complex and detailed” and said the boy had been there for a “significant period of time”.
“We are being assisted by the family and other specialized police officers and the investigation will continue for quite some time,” he said.
“Support is being extended to the family, friends and community of Innisfail, and our deepest condolences go out to everyone involved in this matter.”
Mayor Teresa Millwood expressed her condolences for the boy’s family.
“Cassowary Coast Regional Council would like to express our deepest condolences to the family involved and if there is anything we can do we would be happy to help,” Ms Millwood said.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli offered his condolences.
“Our hearts go out to the Innisfail community as they deal with this tragedy,” he said.