Baby found dead in St. Louis car

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A 7-month-old baby was found dead in the heat of a parked car Thursday on a parking lot at the Washington University School of Medicine, authorities said.

Names of the child and her parents have not been released.

Police spokeswoman Schron Jackson said officers were still on the scene, and she had few details. Washington University officials declined comment.

On a day with the high temperature in the upper 90s, passers-by spotted the baby and used a rock to break a car window. They tried to revive her, but the child was pronounced dead at the scene when emergency crews arrived, Jackson said.

It wasn't immediately clear how long the child had been in the car. Health officials say children and pets can become seriously ill or die if left in an unattended vehicle, even for a very short time.

The St. Louis area previously reported nine deaths from a heat wave that is approaching a month long. The high temperature has topped 90 degrees every day but one since July 31, and a high reading in the upper 90s is predicted for Friday. Temperatures are expected to cool into the 80s by the weekend.