Toys are parked outside the daycare where six-month-old Lillian Isabel Guerra stayed during the day. Pastor Tammy Sharp oversees the church and the daycare.
"A day at a time," she said. "The teachers have done a great job of caring for the children despite the fact that their hearts are broken. It's been a real tough day."
League City police say they were called to Christus Victor Lutheran Church Wednesday afternoon after the baby's father realized he'd forgotten to drop her off at the daycare and left her in his personal car for hours while he was at work in his work vehicle. EMS workers were called to the day care and confirmed the child was dead at the scene.
"When our routines change, we forget things," said Pastor Sharp.
Police say the father dropped his older children off at school that morning, and meant to take the infant to day care but apparently forgot and went to work, leaving the child in the vehicle.
League City Police Officer Reagan Pena said, "What the League City Police Department asks people to do as a reminder is to possibly leave something else of value in the back of the vehicle like a purse, laptop or cell phone. Something you would potentially always take with you."
The family is well known at the church, as two older siblings used to attend the daycare, and staff members say they are in contact with a very devastated father.
"Remind them that they are not alone and continue to support them," Pastor Sharp said.
At this time no charges have been filed, and police continue to investigate.
Police warn parents to be cautious, especially during summer months. They say we can reduce the number of heat-related injuries and deaths by remembering to ACT:
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