Police say boy dead in car was Arkansas judge's son; family calls death 'tragic accident'

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Police say an 18-month-old boy found dead in a hot vehicle in Arkansas last week was the son of a juvenile court judge.

The Hot Springs Police Department said Monday it was conducting a criminal investigation. It says the boy's death was likely due to "excessive heat."

The boy's father is Circuit Judge Wade Naramore. A statement released on the family's behalf by a family friend Sunday night called the death a "tragic accident."

The Hot Springs Sentinel Record reported Monday (http://on.fb.me/1MsDgkX ) an official cause of death wouldn't be released until toxicology reports are ready in a few weeks.

Police Cpl. McCrary Means said Naramore and others have spoken with police about the death.

The local prosecutor has asked to recuse himself. Naramore is a former Garland County deputy prosecutor.

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This story has been corrected to show that the statement released Sunday was from a family friend on the family's behalf and did not quote the judge directly.