Woman Suspected in Leaving Grandchildren in Hot Car
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Chief Randal Walker of the Dresden Police Department vividly remembers what he saw Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of a Dresden supermarket. “We observed a three-year-old boy and a three-month old little girl. They were both in their car seats, the little girl seemed to be unresponsive. You could tell her chest was rising and falling and we could not wake her,” added Chief Walker. Investigators said the children were locked inside their car. The back windows were cracked only three inches, according to police. They also say it was 99 degrees outside and inside, Chief Walker said he can only guess. “The little girl had a diaper on and her skin was clammy to the touch. You could tell that she was dehydrated,” added Chief Walker. Authorities also said 15 minutes after they arrived, the grandmother walked outside carrying multiple shopping bags. “She stated she had been in there a few minutes. But we know she was in there at least 20 minutes,” said Chief Walker. And while her grandchildren were rushed to the Gibson County Hospital, police said they arrested Brenda Jo Gibbons, 61, for reckless endangerment and leaving a child in a vehicle unattended. Beth Hutchison has a three-year-old daughter, too. She said she does not leave her little one in the car alone, but she does understand the hassles of getting in and out of a car with little ones. “She’s a pain to take in the store but she’s my daughter. I love her to death and I’d do anything for her,” added Hutchison. Chief Walker said he is certain, if he had arrived just five minutes later, he would be dealing with a murder case. “Believe me its a bad feeling with a child passes away from something like that , when it could’ve been avoided,” added Chief Walker.
