12 Facts About Forgotten Child Syndrome That Every Parent Should Know During Heatwaves

As Europe and other parts of the world experience record-breaking heatwaves, the tragic deaths of children left inside hot vehicles continue to make headlines.

Recent cases during France’s 2026 heatwave have once again drawn attention to a phenomenon known as “Forgotten Child Syndrome” (also called Forgotten Baby Syndrome), a memory failure that experts say can affect even loving and responsible parents.

Understanding how these tragedies happen is the first step toward preventing them. Here are 12 important facts every parent and caregiver should know.