Posted on 10/23/2003 4:33:41 PM PDT by eccentric
The father of a Wichita girl who died in July is now charged in her death.
Prosecutors charged William Dillman after his daughter died, after being left inside a hot SUV for more than eight hours.
Dillman did not appear in court in person. He is charged with one count of endangering a child, which is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a fine.
Deputy Chief District Attorney Kim Parker says, "Abuse of a child requires intentional action toward a child. Endangering a child can be based upon situations that are unreasonable."
Intent is the difference between 35 year old William Dillman facing felony child abuse or endangering a child which is a misdemeanor, for the incident in July.
Investigators say Dillman dropped off his 22 month old baby girl and her four year old brother at her uncle's house. Dillman reportedly told his son to let his uncle know little Alyssa was asleep in the car. Meanwhile, Dillman drove another car to work.
Eight hours passed, and when the children's mother arrived, Alyssa was still strapped in her car seat inside the SUV. Investigators estimate temperatures were at least 140 degrees inside the car.
The charges come more tha four months after the incident, but prosecutors say that's common.
Parker says, "Each situation determines what needs to be investigated, and what aspects have to be explored before a decision is made to charge or not to charge."
A neighbor describes the Dillmans as loving and nurturing parents, and calls what happens to little Alyssa a horrible accident.
But prosecutors say it's an accident that shouldn't have happened.
William Dillman will be back in court November 6th.
The father of a Valley Center girl who died after she was left in a hot SUV strikes a deal that may keep him out of jail.
William Joe Dillman agreed to enter into a diversion program. Dillman left his 22 month old daughter in the family SUV for eight hours on July 14the, the hottest day of the year. Temperatures reached 109 degrees that day.
Dillman was charged with child endangerment, but the charge will be dropped if he completes the diversion program. Under the agreement charges may be dropped in a year if Dillman does not violate any laws. He cannot leave the state without permission. He cannot use drugs or alcohol. He must submit to random drug tests, and report monthly to the diversion office.
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