Kentucky Doctor Spared Indictment After Grandchild Died in Hot Car

A Kentucky physician will not face criminal charges for the death of her 10-month-old grandchild. On Tuesday, a grand jury determined there was insufficient probable cause to indict the woman, ending a months-long legal inquiry into the August incident.

Police records show the grandmother picked up Scottie Crowell on the morning of Aug. 13. She intended to drop him off at daycare but forgot the child was still inside the vehicle. She drove to her workplace, Owensboro Health Multi-Care, arriving around 8 a.m.

The baby’s father called his wife after failing to find Scottie at the daycare. The mother then contacted the grandmother at work. The physician rushed outside and found the child still in the car around 4 p.m., according to police. First responders attempted lifesaving measures after a 911 call was placed, but Scottie died.

The decision leaves the family in mourning without a formal criminal conviction. Commonwealth’s Attorney Hannah Kington-Jarvis asked the public to keep the infant’s parents and family in their thoughts and prayers as they process the loss. She noted the family is continuing to grieve this unimaginable loss.

The case highlights the financial and legal exposure faced by parents and caregivers when childcare arrangements fail. While the grandmother worked as a doctor at a major regional hospital, the lack of an indictment means no criminal fines or prison sentences will result from the state’s prosecution of the case.