TOWN 'N' COUNTRY, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said it's investigating after a 3-year-old was hit by a car and killed early Thursday morning in Town 'N' Country.
Amanda Granit, Chief Communications Officer, said the incident appears to be a heartbreaking tragedy after deputies found an open door at a nearby apartment complex and the parents "frantically" searching for the child.
Granit said deputies were called just after 3 a.m. to Sheldon Road near Brennan Circle.
Deputies found the toddler on the road and immediately took them to the hospital, where they died from their injuries.
Granit said the 911 caller was on his way home from work when he hit something in the road and turned around to see what it was when he realized it was a child.
There were no signs of speeding, impairment or wrongdoing on the driver's part, Granit said.
After the child was taken to the hospital, deputies found the parents within an hour at Valencia at Westchase apartment complex.
"At that point, you can imagine the heartbreak and the nightmare these parents realized they were living in," Granit said. "At 3:30 in the morning, that's no place that a child should be, and no place that a parent expects a child to be other than safe and in their bed."
Granit said there are no charges at this time for the parents or the driver.
The sheriff's office is working to determine how the child got out.
The roadway is expected to be closed for several hours while the investigation continues, and drivers are asked to avoid the area.
The gender of the child is not being released, per Marsy's Law.
When asked, Granit offered advice for other parents but made it clear authorities weren't placing blame in this situation.
"I don't want it to come across as if we're placing blame on anyone. Hindsight is 20/20," Granit said. "I'm sure these parents wish they took many different steps to avoid what occurred here this morning."
Granit encouraged parents of small children to evaluate their child's needs and abilities and take the proper steps to secure their homes.
"If your child has the ability to reach the doorknob, if they have the ability to reach the lock, maybe move the lock up, add a second lock to your door. Put those devices on the doorknob that make it hard for a child to open," Granit said.
She added, "Again, this morning, this appears to be just a heartbreaking tragedy."
