MUNCIE — Two people from Oklahoma were arrested on neglect and theft charges after their kids were found unconscious and unresponsive inside a car with high levels of carbon monoxide, according to court documents.
Muncie Police Department officers found a 2-year-old and 8-year-old child inside the car around 12:15 p.m. Friday at Walmart north, in the 4800 block of West Clara Lane.
With assistance from the Muncie Fire Department, officers determined the carbon monoxide level inside the car was nearly 500 parts per million, according to probable cause affidavits. The fire department told an officer a reading of 7 parts per million is dangerous and would trigger carbon monoxide alarms.
The kids were taken to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital where medical staff told police both children had high carbon monoxide levels in their blood, according to the affidavits.
During their investigation, detectives found a 26-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man were inside the store for nearly an hour and stole clothing, according to the affidavits.
The woman told a detective she was only trying to get clothing for her children because they didn't have any, according to the affidavits. The woman also told police she was aware her car has issues with the exhaust and her catalytic converter was stolen.
The woman said they left the kids in the car while they went inside the store because the 2-year-old was sleeping, according to the affidavits.
Both the man and woman were preliminarily charged with two counts of neglect of a dependent and one count of theft, according to court documents.
Formal charges haven't been filed, according to online court records. WRTV doesn't name suspects until formal charges have been filed.
-
State agency recommends denying AES Indiana's $193M rate request
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is telling regulators to deny AES Indiana's $192.9 million rate increase request and instead cut current rates by $21.2 million.
Work starts to transform old Bloomington hospital site into affordable housing
The site of the hospital, now known as the Hopewell neighborhood, could feature as many as 175 new affordable housing units in its first phase.
Wayne Township Trustee’s Office faces rising demand amid budget strains
Wayne Township is seeing a dramatic rise in residents seeking help with school clothing and utility bills, forcing leaders to tap rainy-day funds as demand could grow ahead.
Your morning coffee is getting pricier: Here's what to expect at local shops
Coffee prices are on the rise due to a multitude of factors, and local stores and businesses are sharing what you should expect the next time you get your morning cup of Joe.
