Baby left in car for about 12 hours, parents arrested in death

No cause of death has been determined yet for a 4-month-old baby who died after he was left alone in the family car for about 12 hours in El Cajon.

His parents, Israel Soto, 30, and Jessica Quezada, 23, were arrested Saturday on suspicion of willful cruelty toward a child leading to death, El Cajon police said. Quezada was also arrested on suspicion of drug possession.

The couple is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday. Both are each being held on $100,000 bail.

The baby was left in the car overnight after the family returned home Friday from a shopping trip, police said. The baby was found not breathing by family members Saturday afternoon.

Resuscitation efforts by police officers and paramedics were unsuccessful.

Although the San Diego County medical examiner has not determined cause of death, authorities said heat is suspected.

Soto and Quezada told authorities they each thought the other had brought the child inside, police said.

The couple’s other three children, ages 3, 2, and 1, were taken into protective custody by the county Child Protective Services. Neighbors said the family had moved in only a couple weeks ago.

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Twitter: @LATSanDiego

tony.perry@latimes.com