Alabama Father Charged After Son Dies in Hot Car

Dad who was drinking all day thought 1-year-old son was in his crib but he was actually dying in a hot car, cops say – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pixabay)

Brookwood, Ala. – A 30-year-old father has been arrested on manslaughter charges after his 1-year-old son died inside a hot vehicle that the man left parked outside their home for an extended period. Authorities said the child remained strapped in his car seat while temperatures climbed into the mid-90s. Family members discovered the boy around 5 p.m. Wednesday and alerted police to the residence on Stone Ridge Court.

Discovery at the Family Home

Deputies from the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office responded quickly to the scene after relatives found the toddler unresponsive. The boy had been left alone in the vehicle for hours, according to investigators. No one else was responsible for the child’s care that day, police confirmed.

The discovery came after the father had spent much of the afternoon away from the house. Officers noted that the car had been sitting in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the precise cause of death.

Father’s Account to Investigators

Logan Keith Chewning told authorities he believed his son was safely asleep in his crib inside the home. He admitted to drinking alcohol at various times throughout the day and even leaving the property once to buy more. Chewning said he had no explanation for why he never checked on the boy during that time.

Investigators described the period the child spent in the car as extended. Chewning claimed the oversight was accidental, yet he offered no further details on how the toddler ended up alone in the vehicle. Police have not released the child’s name.

Charges and Current Status

Chewning was taken into custody and booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail, where he remains held without bond. The manslaughter charge stems directly from the circumstances of the child’s death. Officials said the case remains under active investigation.

Key developments reported so far include:

• Response time around 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Brookwood address.
• Child found still secured in the car seat.
• Father’s admission of drinking and leaving the home for alcohol.
• Temperatures reaching the mid-90s that afternoon.

Authorities continue to review evidence and interview witnesses as the probe moves forward.

Next Steps in the Case

Prosecutors will review the full investigative file once the autopsy results are complete. The family has not released any public statements at this time. Officials emphasized that leaving children unattended in vehicles can quickly become fatal in warm weather.

The incident highlights the risks that arise when routine responsibilities are neglected. The investigation is expected to determine whether additional charges or findings will follow.