Family was in process of adopting child who died in hot car near - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

A Jackson County family was in the process of adopting the 3-year-old girl who died in a hot car on Wilding Road in Silverton this past weekend.

On Sunday, the family of James and Penny Hafer, which included adults and children, came home from church, but left the toddler inside the SUV, Jackson County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Tony Boggs said this morning.

Authorities said the victim did not stand a chance in a hot vehicle that was well above 100 degrees.

"It's the middle of the summer. With the heat that we've had, it takes very little time for something of this nature to occur," he said.

Two hours later, the Hafer's realized the child was missing and found her strapped in the car seat inside the vehicle, Boggs said.

After finding the child, the family called 911, he said.

David Hafer, Jasmine's uncle, said the family is devastate that their little girl is gone.

"They thought she was in bed and she wasn't, she was in the car. They come out to the car to get her, and they found her to where she was unconscious and Penny gave her to Jim. Jim tried CPR on her. The fire department come and the ambulance," Hafer said.

Hafer said another child was removed from the home on Sunday. He said the grandparents are trying to get custody of the little boy.

Deputies are continuing their investigation and charges are expected to be filed, Boggs said.