A North Carolina mother has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter after she allegedly left her 8-year-old daughter in a hot car while at work and the girl died, police said.
Officers responded Wednesday evening to reports of a child in critical condition inside a vehicle in Charlotte, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
The child was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead early Thursday, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.
Her mother, 36-year-old Ashlee Stallings, allegedly left her daughter in the vehicle “in hot weather conditions” and the 8-year-old suffered a medical emergency, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said in a press release. Temperatures in Charlotte on Wednesday had reached the upper 90s.
Stallings allegedly told police she had left her daughter in her car while she was at work, running with the air on, but “believed the victim turned the car off because she was cold,” the arrest warrant affidavit stated.
When the mother returned to her vehicle about an hour and a half after last hearing from the girl via text, she found her daughter unresponsive on the backseat floorboard, taking shallow breaths and foaming at the mouth, according to the affidavit. Stallings used a hammer to break open the back window and then attempted to drive to a local hospital before stopping at a business for help, according to the affidavit.
“She admitted she knew the temperature was 94 degrees outside and that she should not have left the victim inside the car alone,” the affidavit stated.
Medical staff at the hospital told police the girl suffered brain herniation due to hyperthermia, according to the affidavit.
Stallings was arrested Thursday and charged with involuntary manslaughter and child abuse by willful act causing serious injury, online court records show.
The booking photo for Ashlee Stallings.
Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office
Stallings was appointed a public defender during an initial court appearance on Thursday. Online court records do not list any attorney information.
She is being held at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond, online jail records show. Her next court date has been scheduled for July 16.
The investigation remains ongoing, police said.
Amazon confirmed to ABC Charlotte affiliate WSOC that Stallings worked at an Amazon facility and said it is “working closely” with police as they investigate.
“This is an incredibly tragic incident,” Amazon said in a statement to WSOC. “During this difficult time, we’re supporting our employees and have made counseling resources widely available.
The incident marked at least the fifth hot car death so far this year, according to the nonprofit Kids and Car Safety.
It takes very little time for a car to get too hot for children. A car can heat to 124 degrees in only 30 minutes when it’s 90 degrees outside, according to the National Weather Service.
ABC News’ Cherise Rudy contributed to this report.
In a tragic incident that has left a community in shock, an 8-year-old girl has died after being left in a hot car by her mother while she was at work. The heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during the sweltering summer months.
According to reports, the mother, who works as a nurse at a local hospital, inadvertently left her daughter in the car for several hours while she was on duty. By the time she realized her mistake and rushed back to the vehicle, it was too late. The young girl had succumbed to the extreme heat and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The tragic death of this innocent child has sparked outrage and disbelief in the community, with many questioning how such a devastating oversight could have occurred. While the mother’s actions were undoubtedly a grave mistake, it is important to remember that she is also experiencing unimaginable grief and guilt over the loss of her daughter.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, even for a short period of time. The temperature inside a car can rise rapidly, reaching dangerous levels within minutes, especially during the hot summer months. Children are particularly vulnerable to heatstroke and dehydration, as their bodies are less able to regulate temperature than adults.
To prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future, it is crucial for parents and caregivers to always be vigilant when it comes to the safety of their children. Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even for a quick errand or task. Make it a habit to check the backseat of your car before locking it, to ensure that no child is left behind.
In addition, it is important for employers to be understanding and accommodating when it comes to the needs of working parents. Providing flexible work schedules, on-site childcare facilities, or other resources can help alleviate the stress and pressure that many parents face when trying to balance work and family responsibilities.
As the community mourns the loss of this young girl, let us use this tragedy as a catalyst for change. Let us come together to raise awareness about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles and work towards creating a safer and more supportive environment for families everywhere. No child should ever have to suffer such a senseless and preventable tragedy.
