Grandma left baby in hot vehicle – parked between 2 patrol cars, NC sheriff says
A grandmother is facing child abuse accusations in connection with a baby left in a vehicle parked between two “fully marked” patrol cars, according to investigators in North Carolina.
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Temperatures were 96 degrees at the time, and the car’s engine was off and the windows were rolled up, the Union County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
It happened Thursday, Sept. 3, outside the Union County Animal Services office in Monroe, about a 25-mile drive southeast from uptown Charlotte.
“Dedra McManus came to Animal Services with friends to look at kittens available for adoption. McManus parked her vehicle between two fully marked Union County Sheriff’s Office vehicles, exited her car, and left her 8-month-old granddaughter inside the car with the engine turned off,” the sheriff’s office said.
“When McManus saw three deputies approaching the adoption area, she ran back to her vehicle so quickly she dropped her Apple Watch in the process. McManus then returned inside the building carrying the baby.”
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Video footage showed the child was “left alone inside the hot vehicle for approximately 10 minutes,” the sheriff’s office said.
McManus, 50, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor child abuse, officials said.
The child was evaluated by medical personnel, then placed in the custody of the Department of Social Services, officials said.
“Even after her arrest, McManus asked about receiving free kittens because she had missed the Clear the Shelter event held in August,” the sheriff’s office said. “We quickly declined her request and transported her to the detention center. She was issued a no bond and remains in custody at this time.”
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