Sikeston couple faces charges after leaving kids in car while attending court

CHARLESTON, Mo. — A couple accused of leaving their children in a vehicle without air conditioning while attending a court hearing faces additional charges.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 22 before Judge S. Rob Barker for Allana Wheatley and Bradley Wheatley, who are charged with three counts of abuse or neglect of a child and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

On May 31, Mississippi County sheriff’s deputy Mike Borders was entering the courthouse when he saw court bailiff Marty Williams and building custodian Floyd Dover standing with a woman, later identified as Allana Wheatley, holding an 11-month-old baby, according to Sheriff Keith Moore. Moore said the child’s face was flushed.

An investigation by sheriff’s Capt. Ken Story, chief deputy Charlie Marcum and Borders revealed the children were left in the vehicle with no air conditioning while the parents attended their court appearance.

“The female said the car had a/c, and it must have quit working,” Moore said in a news release. “The female told the deputies she left the children in the vehicle because the last two times in court, she was told to leave the courtroom because the baby was crying.”

Pertinent address:

Charleston, Mo.