In a shocking turn of events, an 8-year-old girl from South Bend, Indiana, was left with severe injuries after her mother’s dangerous game took a horrifying turn. Jasmine White, a 27-year-old mother, has been charged with child neglect after allegedly running over her daughter during a pretend game of leaving her children behind. The incident, which took place at Cedar Glen Apartments, has left the community in disbelief and a young girl hospitalized.
A Deadly “Game” Gone Wrong
According to court documents, White would engage in a so-called “game” with her children, in which she pretended to drive away, locking the car doors and acting as if she was going to abandon them. On August 29, the game took a tragic turn when White’s 8-year-old daughter, trying to catch up to her mother’s car, got caught under the vehicle’s rear tire.
As the car sped up, the girl, who was holding onto the passenger door handle, was pulled under. The child suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured skull, orbital fractures, severe bruising, and a deep cut that reached the bone on her face. She also lost five teeth in the ordeal.
“Mom Was Driving Faster Than Usual”
One of the girl’s siblings, who witnessed the incident, told investigators that their mother had been driving “faster than usual” when the accident occurred. The child was hanging onto the car door, trying to get in, but White continued driving. Surveillance footage confirmed these details, showing White accelerating to speeds between 15 and 20 mph as her daughter clung to the vehicle.
The little girl was rushed to the hospital, where she spent several days undergoing treatment for her severe injuries. She was placed on IV sedation and intubated to assist her breathing, but after several days of medical care, she has since been released from the hospital.
Mother Faces Child Neglect Charges
Jasmine White has been charged with two counts of child neglect — one for causing serious injury and another for creating a dangerous situation. White was reportedly playing this “game” regularly, with one of her children describing it to the police as something they frequently did together.
However, this time, the so-called game had devastating consequences. While White has pleaded not guilty, she is now facing the reality of the charges against her and the potential for significant legal repercussions.
A Pattern of Dangerous Behavior?
This incident has raised questions about White’s parenting practices and whether this was an isolated mistake or part of a broader pattern of reckless behavior. This isn’t the first time a parent has faced legal consequences for reckless driving involving their children. In another case, a mother was charged after forcing her 7-year-old to walk home from school and later running him over with her car.
As authorities investigate further, many are left wondering how a simple family game could escalate into such a catastrophic situation. Child welfare advocates are urging parents to avoid risky behaviors that can endanger their children, even in seemingly innocent games.
What’s Next for White?
White’s court appearance was scheduled for Monday, where she is expected to face the charges brought against her. Depending on the outcome, she could face significant penalties, including jail time, if found guilty. The community remains in shock, grappling with the tragic consequences of what should have been a harmless game.
Child safety experts continue to emphasize the importance of educating parents about the potential dangers of certain actions, even those that may seem like fun or games at the time. While White’s intentions may not have been malicious, the results have been life-altering for her daughter, who is now recovering from the traumatic experience.
As the legal process unfolds, the case serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibilities parents hold and the unintended consequences that can arise from seemingly innocent actions.
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