A Dekalb County, Georgia, mother was indicted on murder charges Tuesday for allegedly leaving her toddler daughter in a hot car while she got her hair done.
The Dekalb Neighbor reported that a grand jury indicted Dijanelle Fowler, 25, on charges of second-degree murder, second-degree cruelty to children, and concealing the death of another in connection with the June 15 death of Skylar Fowler.
Fowler is accused of leaving her 13-month-old daughter alone in her car while she got her hair braided. She allegedly returned to the vehicle five hours later and asked someone to jump-start her disabled car—failing to mention her dead daughter strapped in the seat.
ORIGINAL Story: Infant left in hot car for SIX HOURS dies while mom goes to salon to get her hair done: Police
From there, she reportedly drove around with Skylar’s dead body for hours before calling 911 from a hospital parking lot. She later told police that she had suffered a “seizure of some kind” and discovered her daughter dead after regaining consciousness. She claimed that she left her in the car with the AC running, CrimeOnline previously reported.
CrimeOnline also reported that prosecutors accused the mother of telling her hairdresser “there’s no rush” and to “take her time” as the toddler died in the vehicle. Fowler allegedly told salon employees that Skylar was with a sitter and, when a relative stopped by, Fowler claimed Skylar was with a friend.
READ More: ‘There was no rush’: Mom calls 911 HOURS after child dies in hot car; judge denies bond
In September, a judge ordered Fowler be held without bond after deeming her a flight risk.
The District Attorney’s Sexual Exploitation and Crimes Against Children (SECAC) Unit will prosecute the case, according to the Dekalb Neighbor.
A trial date has not been set.
[Featured Image: Dekalb County Jail/Handout]