Death of tot in hot SUV ruled non-criminal

Edmonton police say the death of athree-year-old girl discovered unresponsive in an SUV during a heat wave was non-criminal, so no charges will be laid.

Investigators have determined that Tsi-Tsi Chitekedza, who diedTuesday,was not left in the vehicle by a parent or guardian.

Her mother, Grace Vela, told CBC News that the little girl had just returned froma nearby spray park and was playingoutside the family's northeast Edmonton home Tuesday afternoon.

Vela doesn't know howthe toddler got into the family vehicle parked infront of the home. The vehicle was not locked at the time.

The mother told CBC News she found her daughter inside, seemingly asleep, with her thumb in her mouth.

She beganCPR, but the toddler was declared dead at hospital a little over an hour later.

"There are no words to describe this loss," Vela said Thursday.

"Her name means 'mercy' and she was very full of grace."

Vela described her daughter as thequietestof her three children. She also has afive-year-old daughterand a one-year-old son.

A memorial, held Thursday night, was attended by about 100 members of the Zimbabwean community.

Chairman of the Zimbabwe Cultural Society of Alberta and family spokesman Munya Madzinga said the community is shocked and in mourning overthe death of "our little angel."

"She was a humble kid, very smart for her age," he said.

"Wherever she was present she would make everyone laugh. So Im going to miss that and all the kids in the community who knew Tsi-Tsi, they are also going to miss that."