Police in Bristow are investigating the death of a 2-year-old child.
Authorities said they responded to the 12000 block of Gentle Shade Drive to a report of an unresponsive child at 4:15 p.m on Friday. The mother told them she found the child, a boy, inside the family minivan at 4 p.m.
Police identified the victim as Ryan Murphy. He would have turned 3 next month. He was last seen alive at 9 a.m.
Prince William police said the child had been left alone for 7 hours inside the vehicle. After an initial investigation, the death appears to be an accident, authorities said. While a medical examiner has yet to make a ruling, heat was a "distinct possibility" as the cause of death.
Temperatures on Friday reached into the 80's, but would have been much higher inside the vehicle.
Police said that a neighbor, a retired law enforcement officer, attempted to resuscitate the child, but was unsuccessful.
Although no charges were filed immediately, they may be forthcoming after further investigation.
Check back with NBC Washington for more updates as the story develops.
