DAVAO CITY - A four-year-old girl died after suffocating inside a car that was parked at the school where her mother works, authorities said.

Tricia Mae Silay, 4, was declared dead on arrival at Davao Adventist Hospital Tuesday afternoon due to cerebral hypoxia, according to the attending physician Abdulatif Mohamad Alisar.

Initial police investigation revealed the victim was found lying unconscious at the back seat of a black car, parked inside the compound of the school.

PO2 Jim Guelas of Tugbok police said Tricia went inside the car, which was left open by the owner, and was locked inside.

Tricia's mother, a security guard of the school, told police that she brought her daughter to work since no one will be left at home to take care of her.

The owner of the car, who requested anonymity, promised to help the family of the victim.