An 18-month-old girl named Sofia was found in critical condition inside a school minibus in Almada, Portugal, on July 23 and later died despite resuscitation attempts. She had reportedly been picked up at about 8 a.m. and was discovered at about 4 p.m., with local temperatures near 27°C (81°F). Mestre Cuco school confirmed the vehicle belongs to the school, expressed condolences and said it is cooperating with authorities. The Portuguese Judicial Police have opened a criminal investigation into the incident.
18-Month-Old Girl Dies After Being Left in Daycare Minibus for Eight Hours in Portugal
The inside of a bus (stock image).Credit: Getty
An 18-month-old girl identified as Sofia has died after reportedly being left inside a daycare minibus for about eight hours during hot weather in Almada, Portugal.
According to local reports, Sofia was discovered in critical condition inside a school transport vehicle at about 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 23. Paramedics attempted resuscitation at the scene but the toddler was later pronounced dead. Local temperatures were reported around 27°C (81°F) at the time.
Mestre Cuco school in Almada, Portugal, where Sofia was enrolledCredit: Google
Reports indicate that a Mestre Cuco school employee picked Sofia up at roughly 8 a.m. that morning in a Peugeot 5008 used for transporting children. The vehicle was later located parked outside a different facility than Sofia's usual daycare.
Details and Official Response
The toddler's parents did not receive the usual arrival confirmation that the school has been sending for about a year. Sofia's mother became alarmed when she went to collect her daughter in the afternoon and found her missing from the center.
Almada, PortugalCredit: Getty
'It is with deep consternation and immense pain that the Management of Colégio O Mestre Cuco was confronted this afternoon with the tragic event that claimed one of our children,' the school wrote in a Facebook statement, offering condolences and saying it was cooperating with authorities.
In an updated post, Mestre Cuco confirmed the vehicle involved belongs to the school and is licensed for child transport. Local reporting adds that the staff member who collected Sofia regularly transports children and has no previous police incidents on record.
Investigation and Broader Concerns
The Portuguese Judicial Police have opened a criminal investigation into the circumstances of the child's death. Authorities and the school are said to be cooperating with investigators. People magazine and local outlets reported on the incident; PEOPLE has reached out to the Portuguese Judicial Police for comment.
This tragic case has renewed attention on protocols for child transport, including mandatory arrival confirmations, vehicle checks, and measures to prevent children from being left unattended, particularly during warm weather.
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