Alabama Dad Leaves Baby in Running Vehicle to Conduct Drug Transaction

The vehicle rolled into a thicket of kudzu, leading to an Amber Alert until it was found 12 hours later.

An Alabama father is accused of leaving his 9-month-old daughter in a running vehicle while conducting a drug transaction in July, eventually leading to a Amber Alert for the little girl when he reported the SUV stolen and the baby kidnapped.

Twelve hours later, investigators found the vehicle 100 yards down a hill across the street in thick kudzu, with Harlow Freeman still inside, as CrimeOnline previously reported. Harlow was found to be dehydrated but OK.

After investigating, Parrish Police announced that they’d arrested Jo Rilee Freeman, 30, charging him with conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime and endangering the welfare of a child, WBMA reported.

Investigators said Freeman went inside the home to conduct a drug transaction, leaving the little girl inside his still running vehicle. When told his vehicle was gone, he briefly searched for it before calling police.

Another man, 45-year-old Rodney Thomas, was also charged with two drug crimes, and 19-year-old Mason Chappel was charged with interfering with government operations in connection with the case, AL.com reported.

Investigators say Freeman’s car rolled down the hill and came to a stop in the kudzu, where it wasn’t seen for 12 hours.

Parrish Police Chief Danny Woodard said at the time that a window broken in an unrelated incident provided ventilation that possibly saved the little girl’s life.

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[Featured image: Harlow Darby Freeman/Parrish Police Department]