Ex-cop had left daughter in car for sex, latter died
An ex-police officer, Cassie Barker, was charged for manslaughter on Monday, for her daughter's death that happened three years ago due to her negligence. Barker's daughter was trapped in a police car, while she was having sex elsewhere, having forgotten about the child. After she pleaded guilty, the 29-year-old, who was on bail, was arrested recently. The sentence will be announced on April 1.
You'll forever be entombed in prison of your mind: Bourgeois
The incident happened on September 20, 2016. After Barker admitted to the charges, Harrison County Circuit Judge Larry Bourgeois told her, "I don't know what I could ever do to you that could be worse than what you've already experienced. You will forever be entombed in a prison of your own mind." Although Barker has avoided second-degree-murder conviction, prosecutors have recommended 20-years of prison.
Baby was trapped in the car for full four hours
It was hot in Mississippi that day, and Barker left her 3-year-old daughter, Cheyenne Hyer strapped in the car and entered her supervisor, Clark Ladner's house, to have sex. The AC in the car was non-functional, but Barker started it nonetheless. In such cases, if there is no outlet, the enclosed chamber becomes extremely hot. Cheyenne was trapped in the car for four hours.
Barker had forgotten about baby, fell asleep in Ladner's house
Barker, meanwhile, had allegedly forgotten about Cheyenne and fell asleep in Ladner's house. When she returned, Cheyenne was unresponsive and her body had reached 107-degrees before death, hospital authorities informed. Barker and Ladner were fired by the Long Beach police within days after the incident.
I close my eyes, I picture her suffering, says father
Meanwhile, Ryan Hyer, Cheyenne's father, told reporters, "Every time I close my eyes, I picture her suffering, and then I picture her laying in this coffin." Hyer, who was shattered after his daughter's death, added, "I still see her smiling and laughing in my head, and I would assume that smile and laughter turned to pain and suffering in that instance."
Earlier in 2015, Barker had left daughter at a store
The other party involved, Ladner, avoided charges after he told authorities that he didn't know Barker's child was in the car. However, this was not the first time Barker showed carelessness. In April 2015, she had left Cheyenne at a store near Gulfport. The Child welfare officials had taken Cheyenne temporarily and consequently, Long Beach police suspended Barker for one week without pay.
Hyer sues Long Beach Police and Child Protection Services
According to Hyer, the officials never notified him of the 2015 incident. He has pressed charges against the Long Beach Police Department and Department of Child Protection Services, Mississippi for wrongful-death of his child. He said the officials could have taken strict actions last time.
