A baby left unattended inside a minivan in downtown Ottawa on Sunday was removed by police and taken to hospital as a precaution.

A passerby noticed the baby in a parked minivan and called police at about 2:30 p.m. The SUV was parked along the 400-block of MacLaren Street, just west of Bank Street.

The minivan's windows were partially open, as well as the sunroof, but the doors were locked.

When police arrived officers managed to unlock the doors and get the baby out of the minivan.

The child's caregiver arrived at the scene as police were investigating. No charges had been laid as of Sunday afternoon, police said.

The child appeared to be in good health and was taken to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario for a precautionary assessment, police and paramedics said.

The investigation continues.