Abroad
Dad allegedly forgets to drop off 18-month-old son, child found dead in backseat of SUV outside Florida preschool
The father realised he never dropped his son off when he went to pick the child up.
July 04, 2026, 03:18 AM
Photo from ABC News
An 18-month-old boy was found dead in a sports utility vehicle (SUV) outside a preschool in Plantation, Florida, United States.
In a post on X, the Plantation Police Department and the Plantation Fire Department responded to the report of a deceased person in a vehicle on Jun. 29 at about 5:39pm at the World of Discovery Academy, a day care and preschool.
NEWS BRIEF: Death Investigation
On Monday, 06/29/2026 at 5:39 pm, the Plantation Police Department and Plantation Fire Department responded to the report of a deceased child in a vehicle at 7025 NW 4th Street (A World of Discovery Academy).
Upon arrival, Plantation Fire… pic.twitter.com/LfstX4a9cu
— Plantation Police (@PlantationPD) June 30, 2026
Emergency responders pronounced the boy dead on-site.
Investigations into his death are ongoing.
What happened
Carolina Quecano, an assistant director at the preschool, told New York Times that the boy and his father arrived at the preschool on the afternoon of Jun. 29.
He reportedly pulled up to the pick-up and drop-off area where preschool employees would meet parents who drove their vehicles.
Quencano claimed that “the ladies outside” told the boy’s father that “he is not here”.
The boy’s father then purportedly exited the SUV and looked into the backseat, realising that his child was deceased.
Leslie Novoa, the owner of the preschool, told ABC News that she alerted emergency responders after the father discovered the deceased child.
Novoa also claimed the father arrived to pick up his child, and when he reached the parking lot, he realised he “forgot the child”.
"He never dropped off the child at the school," she added.
Family
According to Novoa, the family had been enrolled at the preschool for years.
The boy was apparently the family’s third child to attend the school.
"They're a very loving family, and unfortunately, this happened," she added.
Heat
According to New York Times, 122 children have died in hot cars since 1990 in Florida.
In South Florida, as temperatures have reached to about 32°C and higher.
In an Instagram post by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office following this incident, at least nine children have reportedly died after being left in hot cars in the U.S. in 2026, including three in Florida.
Local police departments urged parents to check the back seat of their vehicles before leaving.
“Always make it a habit to LOOK before you lock, keep a reminder in the back seat, and always check before walking away. One moment of distraction can change a family forever,” the caption read.
