Family members said that the girl was left in the van Thursday after a shopping trip because her parents each thought the other had taken her out of the car, The Press, an Atlantic City, N.J., newspaper, reported. By the time her mother looked for her and found her in the car at 6 p.m., she had been in the hot vehicle for four hours and was unresponsive.

Police Capt. Joseph Fair said that the family dialed 911 right away.

Fair said that the girl had burns that apparently came from leaning against the window of the car.

The parents and grandmother were questioned but no one was charged.

"It appears to be an accident," Fair told The Press. "A tragic accident."

Fair said that the parents have four older children. The girl would have celebrated her fourth birthday next week.