Alabama Parents to Serve Time After Toddler Dies in Hot Car

Alabama parents were found guilty of manslaughter after they passed out, leaving their 2-year-old son in a hot car where he eventually died.

Robert Patrick King, 36, and his ex-wife, 40-year-old Melinda King, were sentenced to more than four years in prison after their toddler son died on June 28, 2019. According to reports, the couple nodded off to sleep after smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol.

Detectives believe their toddler, Castiel found his way outside, got in their car and then couldn’t figure out how to get out. The incident reportedly happened at around 3:15 p.m. that day at the parents’ home in Dothan. Reportedly, temperatures there got up to 90 degrees; it was 120 in the vehicle.

It wasn’t until fours later that an older sibling found him. The child was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The parents pleaded not guilty. Later they pleaded guilty to reckless manslaughter ahead of their trials.