Madisonville, Kentucky — A 10-month-old Kentucky girl died after she was allegedly left inside a hot vehicle for several hours, with temperatures inside the car reportedly climbing as high as 115 degrees during a day when outdoor temperatures reached 95 degrees.
The infant, Scottie Crowell, was found dead on Aug. 13 in a vehicle parked at Owensboro Health Multicare in Madisonville, according to the Madisonville Police Department.
Authorities say the baby had been in the care of her grandmother that morning and was supposed to be dropped off at daycare before the grandmother went to work.
Baby Was Supposed to Be Taken to Daycare
According to police, Scottie’s grandmother, Stacey Fazenbaker, picked up the infant from her daughter that morning.
Fazenbaker was reportedly supposed to take Scottie to daycare before going to work as a doctor. Instead, police say she drove to the hospital and went inside around 8 a.m. with the baby still in the backseat.
Scottie remained inside the vehicle as the day became increasingly hot.
A weather sensor reportedly recorded an outdoor temperature of 95 degrees that day. According to WEHT, temperatures inside the vehicle eventually reached approximately 115 degrees.
Authorities themselves have not publicly confirmed the temperature inside the car.
Father Discovered Baby Had Never Arrived at Daycare
The tragedy was reportedly discovered later in the day when Scottie’s father went to the daycare to pick her up. He was then reportedly informed that Scottie had never been dropped off.
The father contacted his wife, who then contacted her mother. That call ultimately led Fazenbaker and several coworkers to rush outside toward the vehicle.
“She [Fazenbaker] ran outside with some co-workers to get the child,” Major Jason McKnight told WEHT.
“But it was far too late by then.”
The baby was found unresponsive inside the vehicle and was pronounced dead.
Investigation Underway Into Baby’s Death
Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding Scottie’s death. Kentucky Child Protective Services is reportedly conducting its own investigation alongside law enforcement, according to officials.
An autopsy has been completed, but investigators said the official results could take several weeks. Those findings could help authorities determine the precise cause and circumstances of the infant’s death.
No Charges Filed So Far
At this point, no criminal charges have been filed in connection with Scottie’s death. Police are expected to complete their investigation before the case is presented to a grand jury.
The absence of charges at this stage does not mean investigators have reached a final conclusion. Authorities are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the infant being left in the vehicle and the events leading up to her death.
Scottie’s death has left her family grieving the loss of a child who, according to an online obituary, is survived by her parents, Micah Crowell and Sydni Fazenbaker Crowell.
The investigation remains active as authorities await the autopsy results and continue examining what happened during those critical hours.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking case? Share your thoughts and condolences for Scottie’s family in the comments below.
