Add The New York Post on Google An Alabama dad allegedly left his baby to die in a scorching car after boozing all day and leaving to buy more alcohol, according to authorities and reports.
Logan Keith Chewning was charged with manslaughter after a grandmother reported discovering her 1-year-old grandchild dead inside a car, still buckled into his seat, on Wednesday, Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit Captain Jack Kennedy said at a press conference, per AL.com.
The child’s grandmother could not get in touch with Chewning, 30, who had sole responsibility for his son while the boy’s mother was at work, the outlet said.
“The father admitted to drinking at different times throughout the day and leaving the residence at one time to purchase more alcohol,” Kennedy told reporters.
“At some point, he left with his child and did not bring his child back inside,” Kennedy said.
The baby was inside the vehicle for at least several hours as temperatures climbed in the mid-90s on Wednesday afternoon.
“The vehicle was in full sun,” the captain added.
Cops also alleged there was evidence Chewning had been throwing back booze before his son’s death and that he “smelled of alcohol” when emergency responders arrived.
The alleged deadbeat dad has shown remorse, “but it’s not an accident because he engaged in reckless behavior,” Kennedy said.
“There is a chance this could be elevated to felony murder,” he added.
“It’s a terrible tragedy for every person that responded out there,” Kennedy said. “Every single person, from the medics to all the law enforcement were affected on the scene.”
“If you’re solely responsible for an infant, you don’t need to be involved in alcohol, controlled substances, working 36 hours without sleep, or any of those things, because all of that could be considered reckless behavior.”
An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
In July 2024, dad Christopher Scholtes left his 2-year-old Parker to die in the family car as temperatures soared to 109 degrees under the desert sun.
Scholtes, 38, had been inside the house watching porn, drinking beer, and playing video games at the time of her death.
He later killed himself to dodge decades in prison, and was found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in the garage of the Phoenix home he shared with his wife, Dr. Erika Scholtes.
