Tuscaloosa father charged after 1-year-old found dead in hot car, investigators say
A Tuscaloosa County father is facing a manslaughter charge after investigators say his 1-year-old child was found dead inside a vehicle Wednesday evening.
Brookwood Police, Tuscaloosa Sheriff’s Office deputy paramedics, Brookwood Fire and Northstar Ambulance responded around 5 p.m. May 20 to a home in the 11000 block of Stone Ridge Court within Brookwood city limits.
According to investigators, family members reported finding the infant deceased inside a vehicle while still strapped into a car seat.
The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit responded to take over the investigation.
Investigators said the child had been in the sole care of the father throughout the day. Authorities said the father admitted to drinking alcohol at different times during the day and leaving the home at one point to buy more alcohol.
The father told investigators he believed the child had been sleeping in a crib and said the infant was accidentally left inside the vehicle.
Authorities said the child had been inside the vehicle for an extended period of time while afternoon temperatures climbed into the mid-90s.
The child’s exact cause of death will be determined by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.
After consulting with the Tuscaloosa County District Attorney’s Office, investigators charged 30-year-old Logan Keith Chewning with manslaughter. He was booked into jail with no bond under Aniah’s Law.