Ashlee Stallings, a 36-year-old mother from North Carolina, is facing manslaughter charges following the death of her 8-year-old daughter. Police reported that Stallings left her daughter locked inside a car during a heatwave on Wednesday, resulting in the child’s death.
Stallings, who was at work at her job with Amazon at the time, admitted to authorities that she left her daughter in the vehicle despite the outside temperature reaching 94 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the New York Post.
She is currently held at the Mecklenburg Detention Facility on charges of involuntary manslaughter and child neglect, with a bond set at $250,000. According to reports, Stallings informed police that she left her car running outside the Amazon Fulfillment center where she works, with the air conditioning on.
However, she noted that her daughter might have turned it off because she felt cold. Approximately 90 minutes after receiving her last text from her daughter, Stallings returned to find the child lying motionless on the car floor.
She then broke the window with a hammer in an attempt to reach her daughter. Her daughter, whose identity has not been disclosed, was found in critical condition exhibiting shallow breathing and foaming at the mouth.
Police responded to the scene shortly before 6:30 p.m. and discovered the girl unresponsive. Despite efforts, she was pronounced dead after being rushed to a nearby hospital.
Stallings was subsequently arrested. An Amazon spokesperson described the event as “tragic” in a statement provided to WCNC.
“This is an incredibly tragic incident,” the statement said. “During this difficult time, we’re supporting our employees and have made counseling resources widely available.
“We’re also working closely with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department as they investigate.”
According to reports, Wednesday marked the hottest day of the year with temperatures reaching up to 99 degrees.
Stallings is scheduled to appear in court again on July 16.
