A two-year-old boy died as a result of injuries sustained after getting inside a family vehicle parked near St. Mary Street in Runge on July 24.

The sheriff’s office investigation has determined that the death was accidental.

Karnes County Sheriff David Jalufka said that Sheriff’s office investigator Steven Monsivais was dispatched to the scene at 3:19 p.m. First responders from Runge and an ambulance from Kenedy also responded to the scene.

The boy’s father, Edwin Rivera, was mowing the yard when Jose Angel Rivera climbed inside the vehicle and closed the door.

No one knew that the boy was in the vehicle and had been there for about 15 to 20 minutes before his father found him and dialed 911, according to police. The outdoor temperature at the time was 94 degrees, as noted by the investigator responding to the scene of the accident.

The child was transported to Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The report stated that family members said the boy was big enough to open the door and get inside the car and close it behind him. He would often get behind the wheel and pretend to drive the car, according to statements made to police by his mother, Vanessa Saenz.

Texas Ranger Marrie Aldridge assisted Monsivais in the investigation.

Child Protective Services was also contacted by the sheriff’s office, which is routine whenever a child is involved in a fatal accident.