By Michael R. Moser / mmoser@crossville-chronicle.com
Crossville Police responding to a complaint in the parking lot of a local bar found a small child strapped inside a car seat in a parked vehicle in near freezing temperatures outside the night spot where the child's mom was drinking.
Police had to take her off the dance floor to ask the mom why the child was left in the van.
Leaha Chantel Richardson, 24, 29 Primrose Ct., is charged with aggravated child abuse and was placed under $20,000 bond. She is to appear in Cumberland County General Sessions Court on Jan. 14. Her condition was such that an ambulance was called to the scene but Richardson refused to accept a ride to the hospital and instead ended up in jail.
At midnight Friday Crossville Police were dispatched to Mr. Edds on West Ave. and found a 2002 Dodge Voyager van in the parking lot with a 10-month-old baby strapped in a car seat, according to Ptl. Jonathan O'Neal's report. Temperature was 37 degrees at the time with a wind chill factor of freezing. O'Neal and Ptl. Danny Harris entered the bar and located the mother, who was on the dance floor.
The officer reported that the mom had slurred speech and was unsteady on her feet when officers attempted to question her. They placed Richardson under arrest and the infant's grandparents arrived on the scene and were given temporary custody of the child, pending a hearing by the Department of Childrens Services.
During this time the mom reportedly could not stay awake and at times was unresponsive. An ambulance was summoned but the mom refused treatment so she was taken into custody.
