Police are investigating how the child got behind the running vehicle. The girl's mother told investigators that she left her unattended, but strapped her in the running car, Local 4 reported. She said that when she came out, the girl was unconscious under the van.

The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Doctors said that the mother gave them two different stories. She reportedly first told hospital officials that she accidentally ran the girl over. But after the girl died, the mother told police the toddler put the car into gear and somehow got behind the van.

Dr. Michael Mattingly of Mount Clemens General Hospital said that the child suffered massive facial and head injuries. Her skull was reportedly crushed.

Neighbor Wally Siemion said that the families are very close in the neighborhood.

"It's a real tragedy that something like this has happened," Siemion said.

No charges have been filed, but police are investigating the stories that the mother told. Copyright 2003 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.