There are also far too many “close calls” that fortunately do not result in a tragic death. Some of those are documented here.
STATISTICS
Total number of U.S. heatstroke deaths of children left in cars, 2014: 18
Total number of U.S. heatstroke deaths of children left in cars, 2013: 44
Total number of U.S. heatstroke deaths of children left in cars, 1998-present: 624
Average number of U.S. child heatstroke fatalities per year since 1998: 38
See Monthly Statistics
See Per Capita Deaths by State
Circumstances
An examination of media reports about the 606 child vehicular heatstroke deaths for an fourteen year period (1998 through 2013) shows the following circumstances:
51% - child “forgotten” by caregiver (312 Children)
29% - child playing in unattended vehicle (177)
18% - child intentionally left in vehicle by adult (111)
1% - circumstances unknown (6)
Demographics of Persons Responsible for Heatstroke Deaths of Children Forgotten in Vehicles
I agree. This should never happen.
However, LOOK AT YOUR OWN STATISTICS. It is very rare. Less than one death per state per year. An average of 39. As for the same statistics, it shows that almost half where from children getting into the cars and playing in them.