Authorities are beginning to doubt that a Georgia father accidentally left his toddler inside a hot car. Justin Ross Harris, age 34, claims he forgot to take his son to daycare last Wednesday. Instead, he proceeded directly to work and completed his shift. When he returned to the vehicle, his 22-month-old son was dead.
Harris’ story gained national attention, and a degree of sympathy, as the incident appeared to be a tragic mistake. Witnesses said the father was genuinely distraught when he realized his son was in the back seat.
As reported by AJC news , Dale Hamilton witnessed the horrific scene :
“He pulled him out, laid him on the ground, and tried to resuscitate him… He was lifeless, he was in the same position as if he were sitting in the car seat… It’s something that I’ll remember for a long time.”
Cobb County authorities were called to the scene. However, it was simply too late. Although an autopsy has not been performed, the toddler appears to have died while locked inside the hot car.
Initially, authorities were sympathetic. Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds said the investigation was “far from over.” However, he said he could not “fathom what any parent would be going through.”
Although Harris contends his son’s death was a tragic accident , he was arrested and charged with murder and cruelty to a child.
In the course of investigation, authorities discovered evidence that shed doubt on Harris’ initial claim.
In a new warrant , issued on Wednesday, authorities suggest Harris knew his toddler was inside the hot car. Investigators determined that the defendant and his son stopped at the Cumberland Parkway Chick-fil-A for breakfast. Harris then strapped his son back into the car seat and proceeded to work.
Authorities also determined that Harris returned to his vehicle during his lunch hour. According to the warrant, the defendant “did access the same vehicle through the driver’s side door to place an object into the vehicle… then closed the door and left the car, re-entering his place of business.”
The warrant specifies the new charges as homicide-murder during the commission of a felony and cruelty to a child in the second degree.
Following his initial arrest, Harris was incarcerated without bond. He will remain in the Cobb County Jail pending trial.
Although the toddler died in the hot car, Harris has received an outpouring of support . More than 11,000 people have signed an online petition, which requests that the murder charge be dismissed.
[Image via World Now]
