Car sitting at park held toddler and an adult who was slowly dying, MS cops say

A Mississippi police officer’s instincts to check a car sitting in the dark may have saved a toddler’s life.

The child was discovered in “tragic” circumstances at about 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, according to the Pearl Police Department.

“A Pearl police officer on routine patrol observed a vehicle backed into a parking space at Center City Park, which was closed at the time,” police said in an Oct. 21 news release.

“Upon checking the vehicle, the officer found an adult inside who appeared to be sleeping, with a toddler in the back seat. When the officer attempted to wake the individual, it became clear the person was in medical distress.”

Lifesaving efforts were attempted by police, firefighters and EMS for “more than forty minutes,” officers said.

“Despite their best efforts, the individual was pronounced deceased at the scene,” police said.

“The toddler was examined by medical personnel as a precaution and found to be unharmed. The child has since been reunited with family members.”

The Rankin County Coroner’s Office reports “the death appears to be from natural causes,” police said.

Investigators have not released the person’s identity and have not said how long the vehicle may have been sitting in the parking lot.

Pearl is about a 5-mile drive southeast from Jackson.