Two officers were fired after one of them left a 3-year-old in a hot car for several hours.
Two Mississippi police officers were fired after one's 3-year-old daughter died in a hot cruiser where she had been left alone for several hours.
Officer Cassie Barker and Sgt. Clark Ladner were reportedly together inside Ladner’s home Friday while Barker’s daughter was left in a parked police cruiser for at least four hours.
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Barker's daughter, 3-year-old Cheyenne Hyer, was found unresponsive in the car, and later died at the hospital. Reports said the car was running and the AC was on.
Chief Wayne McDowell recommended the immediate termination of the officers Tuesday night.
According to WLOX, the chief said he made the recommendation because of a "violation of department policies." One of those violations was conduct detrimental to the public.
McDowell also said the department has specific rules prohibiting family members from patrol cars unless commuting to work or being dropped off at a childcare facility.
“Hopefully it gives us that half step forward," the chief said, noting the death of the little girl and the officers' involvement has taken a toll on his staff.
Read: Cop's 3-Year-Old Daughter Dies After Girl Is Left in Hot Police Cruiser for 4 Hours
The officers were initially placed on administrative leave without pay, according to reports. According to AJC.com, Ladner said he didn’t know the little girl was in the car during their visit.
The officers were both off-duty during the incident. No charges have been filed.
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