Waterford child found dead in vehicle

Police discovered 5-year-old boy shortly after responding to call

Waterford — The Waterford Police Department is investigating the untimely death of a 5-year-old boy in Quaker Hill, police said Thursday afternoon.

Police Chief Brett Mahoney said police were requested at 3 Maple Ave. at 2:28 p.m. Thursday for a missing 5-year-old. Police found the child unresponsive about 19 minutes later in a family car nearby.

Mahoney could not say for how long the child had been missing before police were contacted. He said he was not aware of previous calls to the house.

Fire and EMS were dispatched but resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful, Mahoney said, and the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have not released the name of the victim, as they are reaching out to family members.

Waterford Police Patrol and Investigative Services, along with the State of Connecticut Inspector’s Office for the New London Superior Court, are investigating the cause of death and how the child got into the car.

The State of Connecticut Medical Examiner’s Office was responding to the scene, and the police department’s chaplains were meeting with the family.

“The unexpected passing of anyone is tragic but the death of a child in our close-knit community can be very difficult,” Mahoney said. “The police department as a member of that community would like to send out its heartfelt condolences to the family of the child.”

Neighbors said the family had been living in the house for only a few years. One neighbor said the family’s kids would sometimes come over and play with her kids.

No further information was immediately available. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Waterford Police Department at (860) 4429451.