Baby boy dies after being left in vehicle at a Florida school by a teacher for nine hours

Investigators in central Florida say a baby boy died after being inadvertently left in a vehicle at a middle school by a teacher who was supposed to be caring for the child.

Volusia County Sheriff's Office detectives say the six-month-old boy died Friday after being left in the backseat of the SUV parked at Deltona Middle School for most of the day.

A teacher at Deltona Middle School was supposed to be caring for the child. They believe the child was in the SUV nearly nine hours.

Heatstroke: A six-month-old baby was found dead inside a car parked at a Florida middle school

On the scene: Dispatchers received a frantic 911 call about the child around 3:54 p.m. on Friday

The sheriff's office has opened an investigation, but no charges were immediately filed.

A sheriff's office spokesman says someone called 911 shortly before 4 p.m. to report that the baby had been left in the vehicle.

A school deputy rushed to the vehicle a short time later, but it was too late - the baby had already been dead for sometime. 

Sheriff Ben Johnson says it's too early to call it a criminal investigation.

'I can't say I've dealt with one on a school parking lot, but anytime a loss of life gets us all, especially a child,' explained  Sheriff Johnson.

'This takes its toll on everybody involved, the faculty of the school, your deputies, everybody involved when you see a child lose its life, it always takes a toll on everybody.' 

Rush: A school resource officer was the first on the scene just minutes after the initial call, but it was too late

Sealed off: The child was pronounced dead by emergency crews

The Volusia County School District issued a statement Friday afternoon:

'Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family and the Deltona Middle School community. This tragedy has broken the hearts of all of us in the school district. We will stand by the family with love and compassion.'

The principal of Deltona Middle School, Dr. Richard Inge, also sent a recorded phone message to parents Friday night.

'As many of you are aware, on Friday afternoon a horrific tragedy occurred on our campus. A six-month old baby, who resided with one of our faculty members passed away. We are deeply saddened and send out our heartfelt sympathies to the family.'