Charlotte, North Carolina – A tragic incident unfolded in Charlotte as an 8-year-old girl lost her life after being left in a vehicle in hot weather conditions. Authorities have charged the girl’s mother, Ashlee Stallings, 36, with involuntary manslaughter and child abuse by willful act causing serious injury. Stallings is being held on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on July 16.
On Wednesday, June 26, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to a call and discovered the child in critical condition upon arrival. Despite immediate medical attention, she was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The department’s Homicide Unit launched an investigation, which revealed that the victim had been left in the vehicle under sweltering conditions.
Stallings, an employee at an Amazon facility, allegedly left her daughter in the car with the air conditioning on, believing the child had turned it off due to feeling cold. She returned to the vehicle after an hour and a half, only to find the girl unresponsive and foaming at the mouth on the car’s floorboard. Stallings, in a panicked state, broke the car window with a hammer and sought help from a nearby business.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, as authorities urge anyone with information to come forward. Meanwhile, Amazon expressed its deep condolences for the family, stating, “This is an incredibly tragic incident.” The company is collaborating closely with law enforcement throughout the investigation and providing counseling resources to support its employees during this difficult time.
As the community mourns the loss of the young girl, it serves as a somber reminder for parents and caregivers to take extra precautions to prevent hot car deaths.