A young girl was placed in child protective services after she was found Thursday morning inside a vehicle that had been towed by Birmingham police.

The child was found asleep, but uninjured, inside the SUV at Weil Wreck Service in Birmingham. She is believed to be about 4 years old, and was in the vehicle a couple of hours before anyone found her. Officers cannot fully search a vehicle without consent or a search warrant.

After multiple inquiries throughout the day by AL.com beginning early Thursday, Birmingham police Sgt. Rod Mauldin shortly before 6 p.m. released this prepared account of what happened:

At about 6:51 a.m., officers from the West Precinct responded to a shots-fired call in the 900 Block of Avenue G. When they got on the scene, they found a 2002 Ford Explorer with multiple bullet holes. Blood was also observed inside the vehicle with no signs of a victim.

Because of the blood and additional evidence in the car, the vehicle was visually inspected in efforts to preserve evidence and no one was observed inside nor was any noise or motion detected. The vehicle was then towed to Weil Wrecker to be processed by an evidence technician.

Hours later, Birmingham police were notified by an unknown caller that a child was inside the vehicle in the very back of the SUV. Officers reported to Weil Wrecker and conducted an extensive search of the vehicle.

The child was found in the rear of the vehicle asleep under a large pile of clothing unharmed. Birmingham Fire and Rescue reported to the scene and transported the child to Children’s of Alabama for further evaluation.

The preliminary investigation revealed the initial shots fired call was domestic in nature involving the mother of the child and her boyfriend. Evidence suggests gunfire was exchanged amongst the two while the child was inside the vehicle.

The child was left inside of the vehicle. It appears the child was asleep under the pile of clothing during the entire incident. The child has been placed into Child Protective Services. This is an ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham police at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stopper at 205-254-7777.