After a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of their two-year-old daughter, Florida residents Kathreen Adams and Christopher McLean are now facing a series of charges that have shaken their community to its core. Authorities say a toddler who fell asleep in her car seat suffered devastating consequences after her parents intentionally left her unattended in the sweltering heat.
The severity of the situation prompted law enforcement to take swift action, leading to the arrests of Adams, 23, and McLean, 32, on charges of child neglect, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Holmes County Sheriff John Tate revealed during a press conference that additional charges may emerge as the investigation progresses.
At a news conference Wednesday, Holmes County Sheriff John Tate predicted the two would certainly face additional charges.
The terrifying series of events began when a terrified woman contacted 911. The woman’s pleas could be heard over the radio, but the 911 operator found them uninterpretable due to the caller’s extreme distress.
In response, a deputy from the Florida Panhandle’s Prosperity County was dispatched to the home. When deputies arrived, they were horrified to see someone carrying a 2-year-old child who was unconscious.
The deputy responded quickly and began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the child while waiting for medical personnel to arrive. Unfortunately, despite all attempts to resuscitate her, the little girl was cruelly pronounced dead not long after.
Adams told police she found her daughter unconscious inside their home. However, the sheriff became concerned because of the child’s high body temperature of 107 degrees and felt that “something was not right.”
The toddler was left in the car for about 14 grueling hours, law enforcement investigators found as their investigation progressed. Adams subsequently admitted that she picked up her 2-year-old and 4-year-old child brother from a family member’s home after her work finished at midnight.
When she and McLean started the return trip, the child was fast asleep in the vehicle seat. Unfortunately, the parents decided to leave their helpless child alone in the car when they got inside and ended up passing out.
They didn’t wake up until 3:41 p.m. the next day, and when they woke up, they found that their beloved child had been abandoned.
Adams admitted to leaving his young child in the car on purpose all night, the sheriff added. McLean chose not to provide an account or speak to the police at the time due to his refusal to cooperate and assert his rights.
Because of this, the sequence of events — including when the couple first saw the baby and when they called 911 for help — varies.
According to Adams, the 4-year-old sibling got out of the car and went into the house. Whether the younger child ever rode in the car is still a mystery. The sheriff said they are looking into the situation.
When police searched the couple’s home, they found a disturbing array of illegal narcotics.
The inventory included methamphetamine, marijuana, CBD candy, and drug-related paraphernalia. Adams stated that she and McLean were smoking marijuana after entering the home.
Sheriff Tate strongly urged the neighborhood to refrain from using narcotics when asked if he had a message for them. He was adamant that the child’s tragic death was the result of methamphetamine and other drug use and argued that drug use often distorts reality and has dire consequences.
He continued his stirring remarks: “That’s what happens when you take drugs – you lose track of what’s really going on and these types of things happen. We probably wouldn’t be here today if they hadn’t been abusing drugs.”
In light of these terrible events, the four-year-old sibling has been placed in the care of the Department for Children and Families, where they will receive the care and support they need at this incredibly difficult time.
During a search of the couple’s residence, officers uncovered a disturbing stash of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, marijuana, CBD candies, and drug-related paraphernalia. Adams admitted to authorities that she and McLean smoked marijuana.
In a stark message to the community, Sheriff Tate strongly stated, “Don’t take drugs.” He strongly attributed the child’s tragic death to drug use and emphasized that substance abuse distorts the perception of reality, leading to dire consequences. He claimed: “That’s what happens when you’re on drugs – you lose track of what’s really going on and things like that happen.”
After these devastating events, the care of the 4-year-old sibling was transferred to the Children and Family Unit, where they will receive the care and support necessary during this extremely difficult time. Authorities remain committed to protecting the welfare of the surviving child while working diligently to bring justice for the untimely loss of an innocent two-year-old daughter.