7/10/2009
By Salina Journal
HAYS — The Ellis County coroner and the Hays Police Department are investigating the death of a 3-month-old Hays girl who died after being left unattended inside a vehicle Thursday afternoon, according to a news release. The release said police were contacted by the child’s parents about 3:20 p.m. Thursday. The girl, identified as Elle Runnion, was pronounced dead in the vehicle. She is the daughter of Brian and Eula Runnion of Hays and was born March 20 of this year. “All preliminary information gathered by the coroner and law enforcement suggests that the child’s death was a tragic accident,” the news release says. “However, because this qualifies as an unattended death, the coroner and the Hays police will follow established protocol to completely investigate the child’s death.” The chief noted that the death is a reminder that parents of young children should take precautions to ensure that young children are not left unattended in vehicles. Heat can quickly build up inside vehicles and cause serious injury or even death.
For more on the death of the child, stay with salina.com for updates, and read reporter Courtney Looney's story in Saturday's Salina Journal.

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