The family of the 5-year-old girl who died inside a vehicle this Saturday, in Toa Baja, expressed support for the minor’s father, assuring that he always had a good fatherly relationship with his daughter.

“Mikaela was an autistic child, but she was never mistreated or lacked love. She was deeply loved by her parents, her stepmother, family members and people close to her. Her father was a loving and present father. Her stepmother cared for her and loved her like another daughter,” said one of the girl’s maternal aunts, in a public statement on her Facebook account.

“Please, let us not forget that today two families suffer this unimaginable loss. Above all, let us not lose sight of the loss of a child, who fought from her first day to her last. Mikaela was a joyful child, full of light and love. She was a cousin, a niece, a granddaughter, a sister and most of all a daughter. A pure heart that left a mark on all of us who knew her and who sadly passed away very soon,” she added.

The case was reported on Saturday afternoon in the Sábana Seca area. The police report on the preliminary investigation indicates that the father of the minor arrived in his vehicle to his place of residence, accompanied by the girl.

In a press release, the police indicated that they are investigating the version that the man allegedly “fell asleep” in the house, while the minor remained in the car. According to the police, “several hours later”, the man’s partner arrived and found her inside the vehicle.

Because she was unresponsive, she was immediately taken to a Bayamon hospital, where authorities were notified. At about 6:13 p.m., a doctor certified the girl’s death.

The Family Department reported that it activated routine protocols to investigate the case. In written statements, the agency noted that "there is no history on the family; neither the father, mother, nor stepmother. Even so, another eight-year-old minor, daughter of the stepmother, was placed with a family resource."

In public statements on social networks, the minor’s mother stressed on Sunday night that “my daughter’s father was an EXCELLENT FATHER, a loving man, attentive to his daughter and totally present. Mikaela was ALWAYS close to her father, she loved him, he was the light of her eyes and no one has the right to judge when they don’t know the full story.”

“It is TOTALLY LIE what they say that ‘he was working (on) relating to her,’” he added, stressing that “we have always had good communication as well as with his stepmother.”

“Let’s not judge without knowing, these are families who suffer loss and no one has the right to give an opinion on what they don’t know!” he added.

In another message, he indicated that “in light of Mikaela’s passing, many people have expressed their desire to support the family during this difficult time. If you wish to collaborate with the funeral expenses, you can contact and make your donation to the following number: 939-217-1032″.