LAKEWOOD - Police are investigating the death of a young child found in a car in a residential neighborhood.

A neighbor found the 21-month-old girl, who had been left in a vehicle, unresponsive shortly after 2 p.m. and called emergency crews to the scene, Lakewood Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein told the Asbury Park Press at the scene.

Crews performed CPR on the child, but were unable to save the toddler, Lichtenstein said. He said police are investigating the death.

The committeeman said he saw the toddler's parents at the hospital and they are "extremely saddened" by what happened.

"I can’t even imagine the agony that a parent must feel when something like this happens and they are good parents and the community is coming together to rally around them," he said.

Lichtenstein said authorities are investigating whether the child had been left in the car for an extended period of time and whether relatively warm temperatures Monday afternoon may have played a role in the child's death. Afternoon high temperatures approached 70 degrees in Lakewood.

Authorities did not immediately provide information about the death. Captain Gregory Staffordsmith said more details would be released as they become available.

There was a large police presence gathered outside a home in a newly build development in the township, where the child was found. Some homes in the development were still under construction.

Yellow crime scene tape surrounded a black Toyota Camry parked in the driveway. Investigators could be seen taking pictures of a car seat in the back seat.

Investigators from the Lakewood Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and Ocean County Sheriff's Office were all at the scene.

This is a breaking news story. An Asbury Park Press reporter and photographer are at the scene. Stay with APP.com for further updates.

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Andrew Goudsward: @AGoudsward; 732-897-4555; agoudsward@gannettnj.com