The sheriff’s department is ruling the death of a 3-year-old a “tragic accident” without charging him

RICHLAND COUNTY, SC (WACH) — The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has ruled the death of 3-year-old Armani Shoemaker a tragic accident.

Authorities were called to a home on Parliament Lake Drive on Friday, May 3, for a missing child.

Coroner identifies 3-year-old found dead in hot car

Armani’s parents called for help when they came home after taking another child to a doctor’s appointment and couldn’t find Armani.

Armani had been under the supervision of another adult while her parents were away, but she went outside and got into a disabled car that was parked in the yard and was unable to get out.

When officers arrived, the car was unlocked and she was in the car unresponsive.

In a press conference Wednesday, Sheriff Lott said that deputies on scene did not wait for emergency medical services to arrive, but rather rushed the child to the hospital while other deputies in the back of the patrol car attempted to render aid.

Sheriff informs about the accidental death of a 3-year-old in a car and his early morning drive by

She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

In the press conference, Sheriff Lott said they confirmed through video surveillance that Armani got into the car alone and simply couldn’t get out.

Lott said they would not release the surveillance video or say exactly how long the child was in the hot car, but said it was “not very long.”

He said the family was devastated and no charges would be filed.

Sheriff Lott encourages people to lock their cars whenever they are not in use in hopes that something like this doesn’t happen again.

Click here to watch the full press conference.