PD: 2-year-old girl dies of hypothermia after wandering outside overnight

NEWPORT, N.H. — A community is in mourning after a toddler was found unresponsive just outside her home on Monday.

Police received a 911 call just after 7 a.m. Monday for a 2-year-old girl who had been found unresponsive outside a house on 10 Maple St.

First responders say the girl, identified as Sofia Van Schoick, was dead when they arrived to the address. Her heartbroken grandfather spoke with Boston 25 News and shared photographs of the girl.

"She got out the door at 4 in the morning, and for some reason, she couldn’t get back up the stairs," said the grandfather, who asked not to be identified.

People cried as they left flowers, teddy bears and messages of sympathy at a growing makeshift memorial for the toddler on Monday.

"It says, 'For Sofia, love, Logan. We miss you,'" said 7-year-old Logan Storie of the heartwarming note he left at the memorial for Sofia.

Frank Storie was among people who were stunned to learn of the toddler's death.

"I wish it could’ve been prevented," he said.

Neighbor Sherry Ayotte couldn't believe the toddler died from exposure in such frigid weather.

"I think it was nine below," Ayotte said of sub-zero temperatures.

Preliminary investigation suggests the child somehow found her way out of the house early in the morning and wasn't able to get back inside. Temperatures outside dipped below zero in the early morning hours. Officials say Sofia was found outside in just her pajamas.

"The child was dressed appropriately for sleeping attire, she was obviously dressed in pajamas," said Newport Police Chief Jim Burroughs.

Autopsy results released Monday showed that Sofia died of exposure to the elements and hypothermia. Temperatures were -8 degrees when she was found.

Neighbors told Boston 25 News that the family just moved in about a week ago. Sofia's grandfather now only has memories of his beloved granddaughter.

"She was a very precocious, two-and-a-half-year-old girl, way ahead of her time,"  he said.

Sofia leaves behind her twin brother and the rest of her family.

The Newport Police Department, along with the Sullivan County Attorney's Office are investigating the incident. Officials say no charges have been filed.

Cox Media Group