A father in the US could be executed after leaving his 22-month-old son to die in a baking hot car.
Justin Harris is currently on trial for murder after he went to work leaving his son, Cooper, strapped in his car seat. The 33-year-old told police it was an accident and that he’d forgotten the child. However, police investigators have damning evidence proving beyond reasonable doubt that Harris planned the whole thing.
Justin Harris and his wife, Leana, Cooper’s mother, had financial difficulties. Harris had two life insurance policies for Cooper worth just over £15,000. Harris’ computer revealed various internet searches, including ‘ways to kill a child’ and ‘how to survive life in prison.’ In addition, he is also understood to have discussed with family members ways of obtaining money through life insurance policies.
Police are unclear as to whether Leana Harris was involved in Cooper’s death. She turned up at the day care where Cooper was meant to be left, but after discovering he was never dropped off in the morning, Leana Harris ‘became calm, saying her husband must have left him in the car’, according to police.
Witnesses state Harris returned to his car and drove Cooper’s decomposing body up the motorway, intending to go to the movies. He pulled over to take Cooper’s body out of the car but failed to try and resuscitate Cooper or call the emergency services. Witnesses attempted to revive the little boy, to no avail.
He had spent over seven hours in the Georgian sun, with temperatures in excess of 36 degrees celsius.
Harris has been denied bail. He could face execution if found guilty. The case continues.
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