Toddler hit by family car in Boca area dies

Girl, 15 months old, struck by Mercedes in her driveway.

On their way to a party, a Boca Raton-area family instead dealt with tragedy Sunday afternoon when their toddler was struck by the family’s car and later died, authorities said.

The incident happened about 2 p.m. at the family’s home on Hidden Springs Court north of Yamato Road.

The 15-month-old girl’s father and 2-year-old sibling were in a 2015 Mercedes ML350 in their driveway, waiting for the little girl, Alaia Castillo, and her mother, according to Palm Beach County sheriff ’s authorities.

The father, Andres Castillo, backed the mid-sized car up so the little girl and her mother wouldn’t step in a puddle when they got into the car, Castillo told PBSO.

Meanwhile, Alaia, who family said was still wobbly on her feet, walked out of the home and onto the driveway. The car’s front tire struck the little girl.

Her father stopped the car and held the girl in his arms while her mother drove them to West Boca Medical Center. The child was crying on the ride there, according to Department of Children and Families records. She had few visible injuries but doctors said she had internal injuries.

The girl was then taken to Delray Medical Center where she died about 8 that night, sheriff ’s records state.

The sheriff ’s office and DCF are investigating.

The department did not have any prior interaction with the family, a spokeswoman said. Family told DCF investigators the girl never previously tried to get out of the home.

“We are grieving with the family and loved ones,” the department said in an emailed statement.