Kentucky doctor spared charges in infant's death

A Kentucky doctor will not face criminal charges after a grand jury declined to indict her for the death of her grandchild.

Madisonville police report that 10-month-old Scottie Crowell died in August after being left unattended in a hot car for approximately eight hours. The grand jury concluded on Tuesday that there was not enough probable cause to move forward with an indictment.

Police say the grandmother picked up the infant on the morning of Aug. 13 with the intention of dropping him off at daycare. She later admitted she forgot the child was in the vehicle and proceeded to her workplace, Owensboro Health Multi-Care, around 8 a.m. The baby’s father attempted to collect Scottie from the daycare but was told he was not there.

The father contacted his wife, who then called the grandmother at the hospital. The doctor ran outside and discovered the child was still in the car around 4 p.m. First responders arrived after a 911 call and attempted lifesaving measures, but the infant was pronounced dead.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Hannah Kington-Jarvis asked the public to keep the infant's parents and family in their thoughts and prayers. She noted that the family is continuing to grieve and process the loss. The case involved a doctor working in Owensboro while the incident occurred in Madisonville.

The grand jury’s decision ends the criminal phase of the investigation. No further charges were filed against the grandmother following the review of the evidence presented by the prosecution.