Community rallies around Utah family of infant who died in car

A community is rallying around the Hurricane family whose 11-month-old girl died in a hot car Friday.

A GoFundMe fundraising page, which identifies the girl as Skyah Suwyn, had collected at least $11,465 from more than 200 donors as of Sunday evening. The goal initially was $12,000 but was increased to $18,000.

Skyah, who would have celebrated her first birthday this Friday, died after a family member left her in a car near 50 E. 500 North, according to Hurricane police. Police said the child was inside the vehicle for "a substantial period of time," and the outside temperature would have been around 93 degrees.

The infant was not breathing and was unresponsive, but first responders began CPR. After the paramedics arrived, she was taken in a medical helicopter to Dixie Regional Medical Center, where she died, according to police.

"This incident is very tragic and our hearts go out to those involved, especially the family," the Hurricane police release reads. "The temperature in a vehicle can rise substantially very quickly, which makes it a very dangerous situation."

Acquaintances and strangers alike have expressed their condolences to the family through both the GoFundMe page and a related Facebook page.

Investigators conducted several interviews Friday, but the investigation was active and ongoing, police said. Investigators are waiting on an autopsy before ruling whether the child died from the heat.

mmcfall@sltrib.com

Twitter: @mikeypanda