Coroner identifies toddler who died of hyperthermia in vehicle

The Kern County coroner's office on Friday identified a toddler who was found unresponsive in a vehicle and died.

Dream Shorter of Bakersfield, who was 1 year and 8 months old, died in the 3400 block of Squire Lane in Bakersfield. He was found at 4:22 p.m. Sept. 28.

An autopsy found that he died of hyperthermia, or elevated body temperature, due to environmental exposure. The manner of death was ruled by the coroner as an accident.

However, the Kern County Sheriff's Office said Friday that homicide detectives found the child was left in a vehicle for an extended period of time.

Lorenzo Johnson, 39, was arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, willful cruelty to a child, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, according to KCSO.

Kern County Superior Court records show he is to have a preliminary hearing on Monday.

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