Child critically hurt when neck is stuck in auto window

Family members of a two-year-old boy are by his side at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston where he is in critical condition following an accident in which his neck became trapped in a van window.

Port Arthur police and relatives told KFDM News the child was playing in his family's van when he rolled up the electric window and his neck became trapped between the glass and the window frame.

The family was hosting a wedding reception Tuesday night when the little boy was hurt.

Joaquin Garcia says it was the last thing the family expected while enjoying a wedding reception Tuesday night at their home on 17th Street in Port Arthur.

“We just in shock cause we just saw the baby playing around. I didn't know what happened,” said Joaquin Garcia.

Garcia is the second cousin of 2-year-old Juan Jose Garcia.  The little boy's neck became trapped in the window of his family's van.

“Of course you can imagine how traumatic something like this is,” said Major Raymond Clark of the Port Arthur Police Department.

Clark says the toddler's family left the van keys in the ignition.  He says it's something they often do.  According to statements from the family, Juan got inside the van and turned the key.  He didn't start the car but the power came on. Somehow while he was playing, the two year old caused an electric window to move up and his neck became trapped between the window and the window frame.

“He was probably just doing what he's seen the parents doing. Just turn the key. Who knows what he was thinking when he rolled the window down or up,” said Garcia.

Some car companies like BMW are trying to prevent accidents like this from happening by adding safety sensors that cause the window to roll down if something is in the way.

The general manager at Mike Smith BMW in Beaumont says the safety censor has been a standard feature on all BMW’s since 1999.

Major Clark says the sensor is a nice feature but not all vehicles offer that kind of security.

“You can never be too safe with kids. They're just more active than others and just keep your eye on them,” said Major Clark.

“We made a family prayer last night with everyone praying and everything,” said Garcia.

Prayers offered by relatives and friends who left their home and remain by the side of the two-year-old boy.

The cousin told us the child is doing better and responding to commands.

Port Arthur Police will hand over the case to the District Attorney's office to decide whether any charges should be filed against the parents.

Earlier Wednesday:

A two-year-old from Port Arthur is in critical condition after his neck became stuck in an automobile window.

Port Arthur police say there was a large gathering at the family's home Tuesday night in the 36 hundred block of 17th Street.

According to police, the child wandered off with the other children, and when the child's mother began looking for the boy, she found him inside a vehicle with his neck stuck in a window.

The child was flown to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.

Police say it appears the keys were left inside the car and that's how the boy was able to raise the electric window.

Police are investigating the case as an accident.