A young Visalia girl has died after being left in a parked vehicle for an extended period.
On Thursday, June 3, the Visalia Police Department (VPD) dispatched officers to the 100 block of West Perez Avenue following reports of a 3-year-old female who was not breathing after being left inside the vehicle.
According to VPD, a patrol officer attending to an unrelated call across the street from the residence arrived within seconds.
The officer began administering CPR to the girl, later identified as Jessica Campos, after family members had attempted to revive her.
Fire Department and ambulance personnel soon arrived at the scene and began attempting to administer life-saving procedures.
Emergency personnel transported Jessica by ambulance to the Kaweah Health Medical Center, where she was pronounced deceased.
The VPD Violent Crimes Unit then responded and took control of the investigation.
“Based on statements obtained by detectives, it is believed that Jessica was left in the vehicle for 2 ½ to 3 hours prior to being discovered,” states a VPD press release. “The outdoor temperature was determined to be at least 100 degrees at the time of the incident.”
In 100 degree heat, temperatures inside a vehicle can reach 129 degrees and hotter in a matter of minutes.
Jessica Campos was left in a hot car while her mother tended to cannabis plants.
According to VPD, obtained statements indicated that Jessica’s mother, Eustajia Mojica Dominguez was tending to a cannabis growing and processing operation while the young girl was in the vehicle.
The VPD Narcotics Unit and Special Enforcement Unit were dispatched to the residence to assist in the cannabis operation investigation.
According to VPD, officers found 70 mature plants, 80 immature plants, and approximately 475 pounds of processed cannabis at the residence.
Authorities also found four other children at the residence; a 15-year-old, an 11-year-old, and two nine-month-olds.
VPD reports that all four children were turned over to Child Welfare Services.
Authorities booked Eustajia Dominguez Mojica at the Tulare County Pretrial Facility on 192(b) PC, Involuntary Manslaughter, and 273a(a) PC, Child Endangerment charges.
Four others at the residence, Araceli Mojica, Emmanuel Ortiz-Aguilar, Valentin Aguilar Ortiz, and Victor Flores Corona were also booked at the Tulare County Pretrial Facility on 273a(a) PC, Child Endangerment charges.
Charges against the adult suspects related to the cannabis operation are being recommended to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office.
