A BABYSITTER has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a two-year-old boy died when he was left inside a hot car for three hours.

       Arthur Oliveira dos Santos was being cared for by Glaucia Aparecida Luiz, 35, who ran an "unauthorised daycare" in her home in Sao Paulo, cops said.

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       Arthur Oliveira dos Santos, 2, died after being left in a hot car for three hours Credit: Newsflash 3

       It is believed little Arthur died of dehydration and suffocation Credit: Newsflash

       The lad was left in a scorching car outside the suspect's house in Jardim Redentor between 1.45 and 4.51pm.

       He was forgotten about and spent more than three hours trapped in the car in the afternoon sun, Brazilian news outlet G1 reports.

       Cops said the suspect and her daughter looked after more than 10 children in their home, describing it as an "irregular daycare centre".

       Officers were called to the scene on Wednesday afternoon when tragic Arthur was discovered.

       The tot was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

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       It is believed the boy died of dehydration and suffocation, but his body has been sent for an autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death.

       The babysitter has now been arrested on suspicion of murder and she remains in custody, according to local media reports.

       The suspect's lawyers said: "There was never the intent to bring about such an outcome."

       Her defence team said in a statement: "Glaucia and her family have been collaborating closely with the investigation to clarify the facts, not least because Glaucia did not intend to bring about the child’s death or harm him.

       "The defence passes on our condolences and the most sincere condolences of Glaucia and her family to the boy’s relatives."

       Little Arthur was buried in a cemetery in Macatuba on Thursday afternoon.

       The investigation into the tot's death is ongoing.

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       CCTV images obtained by local media show the car sitting in the baking sun Credit: Newsflash