Toddler Dies in Hot Car After Mom Abandons Him To Attend Party
A 21-year-old Montana mother sentenced to 20 years in prison for the negligent homicide of her two-year-old son.
Ashley Howard was in court on Monday where she was sentenced. She will serve her time at Montana State Women’s Prison in Billings.
Two-year-old Caleb Hopkins spent over 14 hours inside a hot car in June 2018. Per The Billings Gazette, Howard left Caleb in her car the evening of June 25th, she did not check on him until1 p.m. the next day. Police report that she spent the night partying with friends, and dealing with a hangover.
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After retrieving her son, she discovered that he was unresponsive and took him to the hospital, where staff found that his temperature was 107 degrees. He died two days after being put on life support.
His cause of death was listed as hyperthermia caused from overheating.
Prior to her sentencing Howard addressed the court,
“I struggle with saying that I killed my son,” she said, “because nobody wants to be the reason their son is no longer here. I miss him every day. I know that I will always love my son and I will always miss him.”
