State Police investigating death of Booneville 3-year old
Local law enforcement officials today
referred all inquires about the death of a 3-year old in
Booneville on Monday to the Arkansas State Police.
According to a news release issued this afternoon, the Arkansas
State Police is investigating the death of the 3-year-old girl
and injury to her 15-month old sister.
The release states
both are the apparent victims of heat while they were inside a
car parked outside their mother’s home in Booneville Monday
afternoon.
Kaylee Petchenik, 21, of West Fifth Street in
Booneville contacted local police about 2 p.m. stating that when
she awoke from a nap, her children were missing.
A
Booneville police officer who responded to the residence found
the children, both unconscious, lying on the car’s back
floorboard, the release states.
Laykn Petchenik was later
pronounced dead at a Booneville hospital. Her body has been
transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for purposes
of an autopsy.
A Booneville area Facebook account
currently has a funding link posted to assist with funeral
expenses for the 3-year old.
Olivia Petchenik remains
hospitalized in Little Rock. She is in stable, but critical
condition the news release states.
Special Agents of the
Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division are
leading the investigation and will submit a case file to the
Logan County prosecuting attorney for consideration, the news
release states.
“Any time there’s a loss of a child, it’s just a very tragic event no
matter if it’s by natural means or by accident or by some other means,” he
said.