Grand jury declines to indict in baby's death

WAPAKONETA - An Auglaize County grand jury has declined to indict anyone in the death of a St. Marys child who died after being left inside a hot car, according to a Tuesday news release from the Auglaize County Prosecutor's Office and St. Marys Police Department.

After further investigation, authorities have declined to pursue charges in the case, which could be reopened in the future if more evidence were to become known, according to the release.

Ceicila A. Harting, 1, reportedly was found in a car on June 13 and later declared dead. St. Marys police and emergency medical services responded to a report of an unresponsive child at 116 N. Vine St. at 4:23 p.m., according to a police department news release at the time. Harting reportedly was found to be in cardiac arrest when officers and EMS personnel arrived. She was transported to Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys, and was later pronounced deceased.

After an autopsy, the Lucas County Coroner's Office deemed Harting's death accidental and that the cause was hyperthermia, according to the release.

The grand jury reportedly heard details of the investigation into the child's death and found the investigation to be complete and closed the matter, subject to reopening.

"This was an unfortunate, tragic and preventable death," Auglaize County Prosecutor Edwin Pierce said in Tuesday's news release. "This child's death should remind everyone of the disastrous consequences of leaving a child, particularly a very young child, unattended in a motor vehicle. Parents, and all caregivers, should make the conscious decision to always check their vehicle for their children, regardless of the circumstances."