MONROE, N.C. – A grandmother was arrested on a child abuse charge after deputies said she left her 8-month-old granddaughter alone inside a hot vehicle while visiting Union County Animal Services to look at kittens available for adoption.
Dedra McManus parked between two marked Union County Sheriff’s Office vehicles, turned off her vehicle and went inside with friends, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies later reviewed video footage and determined the infant had been left alone inside the vehicle for approximately 10 minutes on a day when the temperature reached 96 degrees.
- Deputies said an 8-month-old infant was left alone in a vehicle with the engine turned off for approximately 10 minutes.
- EMS evaluated the baby, who appeared to be OK, before the Department of Social Services took custody of the child.
- McManus was arrested on a child abuse charge and was being held without bond.
Deputies Say Grandmother Ran Back to Vehicle
The sheriff’s office said McManus had gone to Animal Services with friends to look at kittens when she left her granddaughter in the parked vehicle.
When McManus saw three deputies approaching the adoption area, authorities said she ran back toward the vehicle so quickly that she dropped her Apple Watch. She then returned to the building carrying the baby.
Deputies reviewed surveillance video after the incident and determined how long the child had allegedly been left unattended.
“After reviewing video footage, deputies determined that the child had been left alone inside the hot vehicle for approximately 10 minutes on a 96-degree day,” the sheriff’s office said.
Animal Services deputies subsequently arrested McManus and charged her with child abuse.
Infant Evaluated by EMS, Taken Into DSS Custody
Emergency medical personnel evaluated the 8-month-old after she was removed from the vehicle. The sheriff’s office said the baby appeared to be OK.
The Department of Social Services was contacted and took custody of the infant, according to authorities.
McManus was transported to the Union County Detention Center. Authorities said she was issued no bond and remained in custody at the time of the department’s announcement.
The child abuse charge is an allegation, and McManus is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Sheriff’s Office Says McManus Still Asked About Kittens
Authorities said the unusual encounter did not end with the arrest.
According to the sheriff’s office, McManus asked whether she could still receive free kittens because she had missed the Clear the Shelter event held in August.
“We quickly declined her request and transported her to the Detention Center,” the sheriff’s office said.
The department did not release additional information about the infant’s condition beyond saying she appeared to be OK following the EMS evaluation.
Dedra McManus is charged with child abuse.
Union County authorities said McManus was arrested after surveillance footage showed the infant was left unattended in the vehicle for about 10 minutes.
The 8-month-old girl appeared to be OK.
EMS evaluated the infant after the incident, and the Department of Social Services subsequently took custody of her.
McManus was being held without bond.
The sheriff’s office said she was transported to the Union County Detention Center and remained in custody when the incident was announced.
Sources: Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Government
