Tragedy in Lakewood: Baby left in hot car dies, father charged with endangering

LAKEWOOD — An eight-week-old infant girl died after being left in a hot car for an "extended period of time" Monday and her 28-year-old father has been charged in her death, authorities said.

Lakewood police responded to a call about a baby in cardiac arrest on New Egypt Road at about 1:45 p.m., Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a statement. They found Hatzolah Medical Services trying to save the child's life, but the baby died at the scene, Billhimer said.

The infant's father, Avraham Chaitovsky, 28, of Jackson, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The investigation remains active and additional charges may follow, Billhimer said.

Investigators from the prosecutor's office, Lakewood Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined that the length of time the child was left in the car killed her, Billhimer said.

More: Lakewood woman pleads guilty to child endangerment in hot car death

Temperatures reached 97 degrees on Monday in Lakewood, according to accuweather.com.

Chaitovsky was arrested and taken to Ocean County Jail where he remained Tuesday.

Attorney information for Chaitovsky was not immediately available.

Ken Serrano covers breaking news, crime and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or kserrano@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Lakewood baby left in hot car dies, father charged