Sad newspiece: 3 yr old with DS died

[Guest guest]

Although this is a horribly sad story, I think it is very important that

everyone read this story to understand the dangers that are there.

Kristy

The original text can be found at:

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=4963236

May 30, 2006

KNOXVILLE (WATE/AP) -- The Knox County medical examiner confirms

Tuesday the death of a three-year-old boy found in a sweltering car

Sunday was accidental. And the family says other parents can learn

from what happened.

Three-year-old Womack slipped out of his house and into an

unlocked car in his family's driveway.

When he was found, the temperature in that car, according to

investigators, measured 169 degrees.

had Down Syndrome and was born with a heart condition. He had

open heart surgery as an infant.

Now, his mother, , is agonizing over what happened. " We didn't

just not notice he was gone. As soon as we were up, which we always

slept in on the weekends, almost every weekend, every Sunday at

least because I was off, we always slept in with him. He usually

slept with us but for some reason that morning, he went outside. "

" I just... I don't think he suffered. I have to think he didn't

suffer. I have to think that he fell asleep. He didn't feel the

heat. He didn't feel anything. He was just asleep. "

" He was a happy, happy kid. He felt safe. He always felt safe. He

always knew that one of us would get there. We just didn't make it

in time, " adds.

A friend found 's body in the car just after 1:00 p.m.

Sunday. " He just screamed and it was an awful scream. The worst

thing that you would ever want to hear, just oh my God, he's in the

car, " says.

" This last year, he was the happiest kid I ever saw in my life, "

says his grandfather, Jerre Gibson. " He was an explorer. He loved to

explore and he loved to pretend drive. "

says she was up late with Saturday night because of a

power outage. " He got scared. We sang songs and told him we would

draw a picture, sang 'Jesus Loves Me' and then we put him to bed. "

The next day, everyone except slept in.

Now the grieving family is reaching out so it in hopes it won't

happen to anyone else. " No matter where you live, no matter how safe

you think you are, lock your car doors, " says.

The Department of Children's Services and the sheriff's office

investigated 's death.

The temperature in a car can reach deadly levels in minutes, even if

the windows are open a little.

Safety tips for keeping kids safe include:

Keep vehicles locked at all times,even in the garage or driveway.

Never leave keys in children's reach.

Teach children never to play in or around vehicles.

Make sure all young passengers have left your car after it is

parked.

When a child is missing, check vehicles and trunks immediately.

If a child is locked in a vehicle, get him or her out as quickly as

possible. If the child is hot or appears sick, call 911 or your

local emergency number immediately.

According to the web site kidsincars.org, as of March, 23 children

in Tennessee have died in vehicle related incidents. And nationwide

in 2006, 22 children have died.

Womack's family will receive friends Wednesday night from 6:00

to 8:00 at s Mortuary in North Knoxville.

will be buried Thursday morning at 10:45 at Lynnhurst Cemetery

at 11:00.

The family asks that memorials be made to:

Down Syndrome Awareness Group of East Tennessee

P.O. Box 53575

Knoxville, TN 37950

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