Ten-month-old Scottie Crowell was found in a vehicle outside a Madisonville medical clinic after spending much of the day inside.
MADISONVILLE, Ky. — A 10-month-old girl died after police said her grandmother forgot to take her to daycare and instead went to work, leaving the baby inside a vehicle parked outside a Madisonville medical clinic for about eight hours.
Madisonville police identified the child as Scottie Crowell. Investigators said the grandmother, who works as a doctor at Owensboro Health Multi-Care on South Main Street, had picked Scottie up on the morning of Aug. 13 and was supposed to take her to daycare before beginning work. Police said she arrived at the clinic at about 8 a.m. without realizing the infant was still in the vehicle.
The mistake was not discovered until later that afternoon, according to police. Scottie’s father went to the daycare to pick her up and learned that she had never arrived. He contacted his wife, who then called the grandmother at work. Police said the grandmother ran outside and found Scottie still inside the vehicle at about 4 p.m.
Someone called 911, and police, firefighters and medical personnel responded to the clinic. Madisonville Police Maj. Jason McKnight said the grandmother had already removed the baby from the vehicle by the time officers reached the scene. First responders attempted lifesaving measures, but Scottie could not be saved.
Kentucky Child Protective Services joined Madisonville detectives during the investigation and interviews, McKnight said. Authorities also obtained a blood sample from the grandmother as part of their investigation. McKnight said investigators did not expect the testing to show impairment and described the blood draw as part of the process of eliminating possible factors in the death.
An autopsy was completed Friday, Aug. 14, but police said the final findings could take several weeks. Authorities have not publicly released a final medical determination establishing Scottie’s official cause and manner of death. Police have described the case as involving a baby left in a vehicle during hot conditions while they continue gathering evidence.
No charges had been filed in the case as of the latest reports reviewed Tuesday. McKnight said investigators were still collecting information before deciding what charges, if any, may be appropriate. He said a felony case would ultimately be presented to a grand jury whether an arrest occurred before that review or charges were considered later.
The investigation centers on a sequence that police have described as an unintended failure to make the planned daycare stop. Authorities have not publicly alleged that the grandmother deliberately left Scottie in the vehicle, and no criminal court has determined responsibility for the child’s death. Police have continued to characterize the matter as an active investigation while awaiting laboratory and autopsy information.
The case has drawn renewed attention in Madisonville as Scottie’s family prepares to mourn her. Local station WFIE reported Tuesday that funeral arrangements had been set for the baby, marking the latest public development since police disclosed additional details about the investigation last week.
Investigators are still awaiting the results of the grandmother’s blood testing and the infant’s autopsy. Police said the case will be reviewed by a grand jury after the investigation is completed. No arrest or criminal charge had been publicly announced as of Aug. 18.
Author note: Last updated August 18, 2026.