On one of the hottest days of the year in Louisiana, the father of a toddler who was discovered inside a motor vehicle on one of the hottest days of the year is being prosecuted in connection with her death from heat-related causes.
A news statement issued by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office stated that Joseph Boatman, 32, was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Centre on June 8.
This was in response to the fact that his daughter, who was 21 months old at the time, had passed away after being left in his vehicle overnight.
Madisonville is a town with a population of less than 800 people and is located around 40 miles north of New Orleans. The incident took place from the exterior of a residence in Madisonville.
According to the National Weather Service, the temperature in Madisonville reached its highest point of 92 degrees during the period that the youngster was left in the car, and the heat index reached its highest point of 104 degrees.
According to the information provided by the STPSO, who are continuing their investigation into the incident, Boatman has been charged with murder in the second degree and may face additional charges.
At approximately 2:30 in the morning on June 8, Boatman arrived at the residence of a family member in order to get his daughter, according to the findings of the preliminary inquiry into the incident.
Investigators stated that Boatman “consumed multiple alcoholic beverages” that evening, indicating that he had been drinking previous to picking up his daughter. This information was provided by the investigators.
Following this, Boatman reportedly placed his daughter in her car seat and returned to the residence, as stated by the STPSO; however, the release did not provide any explanation for this manner of behaviour.
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After that, a member of the household became aware that the child was in the vehicle at approximately midday and notified the authorities.
After the deputies arrived, the toddler was found to be unresponsive, and she was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene, as stated by the STPSO.
“This is a devastating loss that no family ever wants to face,” Sheriff Randy Smith stated.
He added: “When a child is left in a vehicle, especially on a day when the heat index climbs over 100 degrees, the outcome can turn deadly in a matter of minutes. This case involved compromised judgment, and the result was heartbreaking.”
The bail amount for Boatman has been set at $750,000, and he is still being held in custody.
