8-Year-Old Girl Dies in Sweltering Locked Car as Mom Leaves Her to Go To Work
In a tragic turn of events that unfolded in Charlotte, North Carolina, a mother faces manslaughter charges following the death of her 8-year-old daughter, who was left locked inside a car during a heatwave.
Mother Arrested and Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter
Ashlee Stallings, a 36-year-old woman, was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Mecklenburg Detention Facility on a $250,000 bond. Stallings is being charged with involuntary manslaughter and child neglect. Authorities allege that she locked her young daughter inside her sweltering car while she was working her shift at an Amazon facility on Wednesday.
Determining the Circumstances of the Incident
According to police records, Stallings confessed to leaving her daughter locked inside the car while the outside temperature soared to 94 degrees. She noted that she left the car engine running with the air conditioning on at the Amazon Fulfillment center where she works. However, she suggested her daughter might have turned it off because she was cold.
Stallings discovered her lifeless daughter lying on the floor of the car shortly after receiving a text message from her. In a frantic attempt to reach her, Stallings broke the car window with a hammer.
The Heartbreaking Aftermath
Upon arrival at the scene, shortly before 6:30 p.m., the police found the young girl unresponsive. She was exhibiting signs of heat stroke, taking shallow breaths and foaming at the mouth. The girl was immediately rushed to a local hospital, where she was ultimately pronounced dead. Stallings was promptly arrested following this tragic event.
In a statement regarding the incident, a spokesperson for Amazon expressed sorrow for the tragic loss. “This is an incredibly tragic incident. We are supporting our employees during this difficult time and have made counseling resources widely available. We’re also working closely with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department as they investigate,” said the spokesperson.
Severe Weather Conditions and Court Proceedings
Stallings’s unfortunate incident took place on what is reported to be the hottest day of the year, with temperatures peaking at 99 degrees. Stallings is expected to reappear in court on July 16. As the authorities delve further into the case, this heartbreaking incident serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers posed by extreme weather conditions, particularly for children.
