Kentucky Grand Jury Clears Doctor in Baby Death

A Kentucky grand jury decided on Tuesday that there was not enough probable cause to indict a local doctor for the death of her 10-month-old grandson. The panel reviewed the case of Scottie Crowell, who died in August after being left alone in a hot car for approximately eight hours.

Police in Madisonville detailed the sequence of events that began on the morning of Aug. 13. The grandmother, a physician at Owensboro Health Multi-Care, picked up the infant and intended to drop him off at daycare. She arrived at her workplace around 8 a.m. but forgot the child was still in the vehicle. She proceeded to her shift without realizing the error.

The discovery happened in the late afternoon when the baby's father attempted to collect Scottie from the daycare facility. Finding the child absent, he called his wife. The mother contacted the grandmother at her office. Upon running outside, the doctor realized Scottie was still inside the car around 4 p.m.

First responders arrived after a 911 call and attempted lifesaving measures. The infant died at the scene. Commonwealth’s Attorney Hannah Kington-Jarvis addressed the outcome, asking the public to keep the infant’s parents and family in their thoughts and prayers as they grieve the loss.

The grand jury’s decision ends the legal review process initiated by Madisonville police. The finding of insufficient probable cause means no formal charges will be filed against the grandmother in connection with the death.