A toddler is dead after being struck by a car at a healthcare facility Wednesday afternoon. 

St. Louis County Police said a mother had dropped off a passenger and two others in the patient drop-off lane Esse Health on Tesson Ferry Road. The driver pulled into a parking spot and after setting the child down, the toddler ran in between parked cars toward her siblings and in the path of a moving vehicle. 

“We are all deeply saddened by the loss of this 21-month-old child in this tragic accident in the parking lot of our office earlier today,” said David E. Hartenbach, MD, chairman of Esse Health. “This family is well-known to us and we feel as a member of our own family has been lost today. Our prayers go out to this family in this very difficult time. Loss of any life is always difficult, but losing a young child like this is particularly tragic. Our hearts are with the parents and other family members during this very hard time.”

Doctors tried to resuscitate the girl, but she died at the scene. Police are ruling the death an accident based on initial investigations. 

Police said the family was from Jefferson County, but provided no further identification. 

Updated at 4:25 p.m. with a statement from Esse Health.