A heartbreaking event took place in Harris County, Texas, over the past weekend. A toddler, just 18 months old, was fatally hit by a car. The mother of the child, Morgan Ottinger, 31, and her boyfriend, Cameron Link, 41, have been taken into custody in relation to the incident.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez reported that the incident happened on Saturday in the driveway of Ottinger’s trailer in Tomball, a suburb close to Houston. Ottinger and her daughter, Cora, were initially in a vehicle parked in the driveway. However, Ottinger allegedly fell asleep or lost consciousness, leaving the toddler unattended.
Cora managed to get out of the vehicle and was standing near it when Link drove into the driveway, hitting the child. Emergency services were summoned to the scene, but despite their best efforts, Cora was declared dead at the scene. Sheriff Gonzalez noted a delay in the suspects calling 911, but did not provide further details.
Ottinger is now facing charges of child endangerment resulting in serious bodily injury. Link, who had outstanding warrants for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and theft, was also arrested. Sheriff Gonzalez stated that there were no signs of impairment on Link’s part at the time of the incident.
Harris County Sheriff Maj. Anthony McConnell expressed his sorrow at the tragic event, speaking to local ABC affiliate KTRK, “The child was out and about unsupervised. It should’ve never happened and I can’t explain how it did happen. We just have people that are not taking care of their child like they should.”
As of Monday morning, both Ottinger and Link remain in custody. Ottinger is being held at the Harris County Jail on a $40,000 bond, while Link is being held without bond.