Italian father's tragic oversight in heatwave claims daughter's life
A tragic situation occurred in Italy when a distracted father forgot to take his little daughter to daycare. Hours spent inside the car resulted in the child being unreachable. The girl's mother asks for understanding.
6:26 PM EDT, July 19, 2024
The heatwave currently affecting millions is not exclusive to Poland. In many countries, temperatures are significantly higher than usual. Meteorologists agree: this summer is the hottest in history. The heat wave has been deadly in many regions, especially affecting the elderly. Doctors urge people to stay indoors and hydrated, while police warn against leaving people or animals in cars.
Father forgot about his daughter
A massive tragedy occurred in Italy on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Lucio Petrizzi, the father of 22-month-old Elena, was supposed to take her to daycare. Preoccupied with work, he forgot that his daughter was sleeping in the car seat and went to the veterinary clinic where he works as a professor of veterinary medicine. He realized his mistake five hours later when he returned to the car.
Petrizzi's coworkers noticed Elena locked in the car and immediately informed her father. He ran to the parking lot and found Elena barely breathing in the back seat. He immediately called an ambulance. Despite the paramedics' efforts, she was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital due to brain swelling. The parents, upon hearing of their child's death, lost consciousness and were also transported to the hospital.
The girl's mother appeals to the media
Chiara Sciarrini, Elena’s mother, appealed to the public asking for understanding for her partner. In a statement to the Italian media, she wrote: "What happened to him could have happened to anyone. I want to tell the world how much my partner loved his daughter. He is an exemplary father."
The local prosecutor ordered an autopsy of Elena, which will take place early next week. It is not yet known if the girl's father will face charges. Elena's death saved the lives of two other children: a two-year-old girl and a little boy received Elena's heart and liver after her parents consented to an organ transplant.
