Mom loaded after leaving children in a locked SUV who was driving in a creek

Jenea Monique Payne, 25, was arrested Monday at noon and charged with two counts of manslaughter and a charge of child negligence, according to Leland Deputy Police Chief Marcus Davis.

According to Davis, Payne reportedly told the investigators that he left his three children – Steve Smith, age 4; Raelynn Johnson, 2 years; and Rasheed Johnson Jr., 1 – asleep in the car while she was traveling to a local fast stop. The car was out, Davis said, but Payne left the keys in the vehicle. With the help of testimonials, the Clarion General Ledger previously reported that the car was parked at the time of the incident.

The 4-year-old son was attached to the seatbelt at the front, while the two youngest children were sitting at the back, David said. Payne was in the store for "five to ten minutes".

According to Davis, investigators believe that the 4-year-old put the keys in touch, started the car and put it in the dead, which drove him into the creek. .

Davis could not explain why Payne would have left her children asleep in a locked car with the keys inside, nor how the 4-year-old girl could have pressed the brake to push her in order to launch the SUV. .

"We will deepen the question," he said.

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Firefighters and passersby rushed to rescue the children, jumping into the creek and trying to break the windows of the vehicle. They managed to free Raelynn but could not save the two boys. The SUV was washed away by the river and found a few hours later with the bodies of the two boys inside.

According to Davis, Payne was charged with the deaths of her children, "because she has finally left three unattended minors for a while when she entered a store.It is illegal in itself.This is part of negligence that ultimately led to their death. "

The case will now be sent back to the prosecutor's office, Davis said, but the department did not consult the prosecutor before laying charges against Payne. Attorney General Dewayne Richardson could not be reached immediately for a comment on Monday.

Payne left the prison on Monday afternoon, Davis said. The amount of the deposit was not immediately available. A lawyer has not yet been appointed.

Asked that Payne was charged with manslaughter for what could have been an accident, Davis replied, "The prosecution is not the problem. kids, that's the problem – it's the horrible thing. "

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