A man in Alabama has been arrested in connection to the death of his 1-year-old son, who was found dead in a car seat after he was left in the vehicle for a significant amount of time as the father went to get alcohol.
Authorities learned of the case when they responded to reports around 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, from family members regarding a child who was found dead while still strapped in a car seat at a residence in Brookwood, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit Captain Jack Kennedy confirmed in a statement to Us Weekly on Friday, May 22.
“Initial investigation shows that the child was in the vehicle for an extended [amount] of time,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy went on to say that temperatures were as high as the mid-90s on the afternoon of the boy’s death.
The child, who has not been publicly named but WRBC reported was a boy, was in “sole care of its father all day,” according to Kennedy.
The man has been identified as Logan Keith Chewning and he admitted to authorities that he drank alcohol “at different times throughout” the day of the incident.
Chewning, 30, reportedly left his residence at one point during the day to buy more alcohol, leaving his child unattended.
“The father reported that he believed that the child had been sleeping in its crib but must have been left behind in the vehicle,” Kennedy said of when Chewning returned home.
Chewning has since been charged with manslaughter and was arrested on May 20, according to Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office records viewed by Us.
He is currently being held at the Tuscaloosa County Jail on the manslaughter charge, and a bond is expected to be set by a judge at a later date.
The online record also stated that he’s been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. However, it’s not currently clear if those charges are connected to his child’s death.
It is not currently clear if Chewning has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The Tuscaloosa County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding the case.
An investigation into the child’s death remains ongoing. The child’s exact cause of death is not yet known, but authorities said it will be determined by the medical examiner at a later date.
