Phoenix Fire: 4-month-old dead after being left in car for hours near 39th Ave and Cactus

A 4-month-old child is dead after being left in a car for hours by a school employee.

Phoenix Fire officials say they were called out to a school near 39th Avenue and Cactus Road, for a report of a child found in a vehicle. The child, since identified as a girl, was reportedly last seen at 8:30 a.m., and was declared dead at the scene.

According to Phoenix Police, the adoptive father of the girl had dropped the kids off at daycare Tuesday morning, but left for an appointment after a few hours.

"When he returns back from the appointment, he comes directly here with the child in this vehicle," said Det. Luis Samudio with Phoenix Police.

The adoptive father is identified as a 56-year-old administrator for the school district, and realized he had forgotten the baby in the car as he was leaving for the day.

"I feel bad it’s a hard thing to have to go through," said Sunny McClellan. "Being a mom myself, I couldn’t imagine what anyone is going through."

Officials with Washington Elementary School District have issued a statement on the incident.