Woman Charged With Neglect In February Death Of Young Son
4-Month-Old Boy Died Feb. 15 In Parked Car
Updated: 8:37 am CDT August 14, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- A 22-year-old woman has been charged with child neglect in the death of her 4-month-old son after she passed out in her parked car on a cold February night.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportAccording to the criminal complaint report the infant died from post cardiac arrest after spending the night inside a car.The baby's mother, Tywalla Johnson faces one felony count of child neglect.While temperatures outside were near freezing investigators said her four-month-old actually died from overheating, WISC-TV reported.Officers said Johnson picked up her son from the infant's grandmother's house around 1 a.m. on Feb. 15 after a heavy night of drinking.The criminal complaint states that Johnson told police the she placed her son in the car, with blankets over his car seat.Johnson then drove to her mother's house in Fitchburg where she passed out in the car, with the heat on the highest level.Several hours later, Johnson woke up and noticed the baby was having trouble breathing.After bringing the baby inside her parent's house her parents then dialed 911.Johnson's son died later that night."In this case, Miss Johnson was intoxicated when she picked up that child," said Fitchburg Police Lt. Chad Brecklin. "She was intoxicated when she parked her car outside her parent's residence, that's what caused her to pass out, and therefore neglect the needs of her child."Fitchburg police said Johnson's blood alcohol level was 0.06 that morning. Investigators estimate her blood alcohol level would have been about 0.18 at the time she picked up her son, WISC-TV reported.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportAccording to the criminal complaint report the infant died from post cardiac arrest after spending the night inside a car.The baby's mother, Tywalla Johnson faces one felony count of child neglect.While temperatures outside were near freezing investigators said her four-month-old actually died from overheating, WISC-TV reported.Officers said Johnson picked up her son from the infant's grandmother's house around 1 a.m. on Feb. 15 after a heavy night of drinking.The criminal complaint states that Johnson told police the she placed her son in the car, with blankets over his car seat.Johnson then drove to her mother's house in Fitchburg where she passed out in the car, with the heat on the highest level.Several hours later, Johnson woke up and noticed the baby was having trouble breathing.After bringing the baby inside her parent's house her parents then dialed 911.Johnson's son died later that night."In this case, Miss Johnson was intoxicated when she picked up that child," said Fitchburg Police Lt. Chad Brecklin. "She was intoxicated when she parked her car outside her parent's residence, that's what caused her to pass out, and therefore neglect the needs of her child."Fitchburg police said Johnson's blood alcohol level was 0.06 that morning. Investigators estimate her blood alcohol level would have been about 0.18 at the time she picked up her son, WISC-TV reported.Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
