4-Month-Old Found Dead In Father's Car
Created: 9/13/2007 8:42:17 PM
Last updated: 9/13/2007 10:26:38 PM
(KSDK) - A 4-month-old baby was found dead Thursday in her father's car,
officials said.
Pike County police said a passerby noticed the baby around 3:30 p.m. at the
father's workplace in the 1200 block of East Champ Clark Drive in Bowling Green.
Preliminary reports indicate the girl died from heat exposure, Pike County
coroner Jim Turner said. Police said the baby had been in the car for at least
six hours.
After being notified by the passerby, the father rushed his daughter, whose name
was not released, to Pike County Medical Clinic, where a nurse practitioner
initiated CPR and called 911, police said.
Paramedics transported the infant to Pike County Memorial Hospital, where she
was pronounced dead at 4:23 p.m., police said.
Police said after taking another child to preschool, the father apparently
forgot the infant was in his car, police said.
Turner said an autopsy was scheduled for Friday morning at the Boone County
Medical Examiner's Office.
Bowling Green is about 85 miles northwest of St. Louis.
Bowling Green Times
19-Sept 2007
A 4-month-old female, Winter LaDonna Zabenco, died Thursday afternoon after
being left in a parked vehicle all day.
Zabenco was discovered in a parked car at her father's place of employment,
Daffron and Associates at about 3:30 p.m.
According to officials a passerby entered the business and told the baby's
father she was in the vehicle. The infant was then rushed to Pike Medical Clinic
in Bowling Green.
There, a nurse practitioner began CPR on the girl and called 9-11.
Paramedics responded, transporting the girl to Pike County Memorial Hospital
in Louisiana. Attempts to revive her were unsuccessful. A doctor at PCMH
pronounced her dead at 4:23 p.m.
According to reports, the girl's 30-year-old father had dropped one of his
children off at preschool on his way to work. He apparently forgot to take the
baby to The Learning Center.
The baby was left in her car seat.
Zabenco was born May 8, 2007 in Lake St. Louis to Nicholas and Jessica
Zabenco III.
Pike County Coroner Jim Turner says an autopsy has been
conducted at the Boone County Medical Examiner's Office.
Autopsy results will probably be available in six to eight weeks.
"We're just in that waiting period now," said Pike County Coroner Jim Turner.
Bowling Green police are conducting an investigation.
Temperatures were in the low 80s outside.
Monday, police reported having conducted "numerous interviews". The
investigation will continue, according to a press release.
No criminal charges have been filed.