A 6-month-old girl died on July 6 after being left in a vehicle during high temperatures in Maryland, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office. 

Deputies responded to the 300 block of Hampton Hall Court in Belcamp after a report of an unresponsive child in a vehicle, officials said. 

First responders quickly began life-saving measures, but the child died, according to officials. 

"It was in the 90s, which means it heats up well into the 100s in a matter of minutes in a closed car," said Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler. "So, that ultimately led to the death of the child."

No charges have been filed, though an investigation is ongoing. 

Sheriff Gahler said part of the investigation includes an autopsy from the Medical Examiner's Office.

"That will be part of the investigation and part of what we send over to the State's Attorney's Office to ascertain whether there'll be any charges," Gahler said.

"What a horrendous way for the family to lose their child."

Belcamp neighbors said they had a bad feeling after seeing deputies and first responders on their street Sunday night.

"Either somebody died or there was a shooting," said Bob Simons.

They later learned about the death of the little girl.

"We were absolutely devastated," said Beth, a neighbor. "I talked to a few neighbors, and I'm sorry I'm choking up because that's what we did. We had a good cry about it because what a tremendous loss."

As neighbors process what happened, some say they don't want to judge the parents, but support them.

"At times like this, especially if you're an older person and you hear about something like that and there's nothing you can do, you can only grieve with the community and try to make things better," Simons said. "Make sure it doesn't happen again."

A woman who identified herself as the baby's grandmother said the family is in mourning.

Maryland's second hot car death in 2025

On July 6, the day the child died, the heat index at BWI Airport reached 88 degrees by 4 p.m. with feels-like temperatures peaking at 92 degrees, according to WJZ's First Alert Weather team.

According to , the 6-month-old's death was Maryland's second hot car death in 2025.

Maryland's first case in 2025 was the death of a 2-year-old girl who was in Montgomery County in May, according to police. 

"Coming out of this holiday weekend, lots of families have taken a day or two off work."

Amber Rollins with Kids and Car Safety says it's important for parents to be extra careful as they get back into their routine.

She advises parents to check their backseat before locking up the car.

"Take something that you can't start your day without, put that in the backseat on the floor right in front of your child's car seat," Rollins said.

Preventing hot car deaths 

Harford County Sheriff's officials about the dangers of heat stroke for children left in hot cars. 

On warm days, the inside of a parked vehicle can rise by 20 degrees in 10 minutes, even when the windows are cracked, officials said. 

Children's bodies can heat up three to five times faster than adults, putting them at a higher risk for heat stroke. 

When traveling with a child during the summer, officials recommend parents check their backseat before leaving or locking their vehicle. 

Julie Siejack, a nurse with UM Upper Chesapeake Health and a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, told WJZ she recommends that parents put something in the back seat that they will need when they get out of their car. 

She urged parents not to leave their kids in the car for any reason, even when temperatures start to drop.

If you see a child alone in a car, you should call 911, officials said. 

• Harford County