WESTERN, NY - A 4 1/2-month-old baby has been found dead inside his father's car, who police said is a Rome police officer.

Oneida County sheriff's deputies said the baby was left in his father's vehicle for a long time.

The baby has been identified as Michael Fanfarillo, born Feb. 1 and living at 8652 Elmer Hill Road in the town of Western. The baby was found unresponsive in his father's vehicle at about 4:40 p.m. Monday, deputies said.

The child was taken by ambulance to Rome City Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Deputies said the investigation indicates the child was left in his father's vehicle for an extended period of time by his father, Mark Fanfarillo.

The Onondaga County Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy today to determine the cause of death. The investigation is being conducted by the Oneida County Sheriff's Office along with the county District Attorney's Office.

Police were investigating a death at a home on Elmer Hill Road Monday night, but provided no details at the time, according to a report by WKTV.

A neighbor who lives four houses from the Fanfarillos said she is horrified to hear about the baby's death.

"They are good people,'' said Carol Vescio of Mark Fanfarillo and his wife, Jessica. "We know the family. The grandparents are wonderful people, too. It's horrible."