2-year-old boy found dead in hot van in California

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. " A 2-year-old boy died after his mother left him inside the family minivan for hours, authorities said.

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies responded to a call late Monday afternoon and found the toddler's body strapped in a car seat, Lt. Dave Dolson said.

Paramedics arrived about the same time as deputies and pronounced the boy dead, Dolson said.

"The mother of this young boy was out running errands, shopping, and when she returned home, two of the three kids got out of the car and went into the house," Dolson said.

"A period of time elapsed and then the mother realized her young son was missing," he said. "She looked for him the car and found him strapped in the baby seat."

The boy apparently had been there several hours, Dolson said. Temperatures in the area reached the 90s Monday.

Investigators questioned family members, including the mother. When asked what explanation she gave, Dolson said: "I think 'distracted' was part of her statement."

"She is very distraught," he said. "Both parents are very distraught."

The mother was seen leaving the home Monday night in a sheriff's patrol car. Dolson said she was being taken in for questioning but was not in custody.

It was not known whether any charges would be filed.