A Kentucky grand jury has declined to indict a doctor accused of leaving her 10-month-old granddaughter inside a hot car for several hours, meaning she will not face a criminal trial over the baby’s death.
Dr. Stacey Fazenbaker, 61, had been under investigation following the death of little Scottie Gwyn Crowell in Madisonville, Kentucky, on August 13, 2026.
Hopkins County Attorney Hannah Kington-Jarvis announced that the grand jury considered the case on October 27 but found there was insufficient probable cause to issue an indictment.
In a statement, Kington-Jarvis said she could not discuss the grand jury’s decision in greater detail because the proceedings are confidential.
Grand Jury Finds Insufficient Probable Cause
The prosecutor said the Madisonville Police Department had carried out a thorough and objective investigation before the case was presented to the grand jury.
“The Madisonville Police Department conducted a thorough and objective investigation. The Commonwealth waited to present this case to the Grand Jury until all relevant evidence was available for the Grand Jury to consider,” Kington-Jarvis said in a statement.
The decision means Fazenbaker will not be indicted in connection with her granddaughter’s death.
The prosecutor also confirmed that Scottie’s parents, Sydni and Micah Crowell, had both been consulted during the investigation.
Kington-Jarvis asked the public to remember the grieving family as they continue to come to terms with the tragedy.
“I would ask that you keep the infant’s parents and family in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to grieve and process this unimaginable loss,” she said.
Baby Died After Being Left in a Parked Car
According to the allegations, Fazenbaker had collected Scottie to take her to daycare before heading to work at Owensboro Health Multicare in Madisonville.
However, the baby was allegedly left in the back of her vehicle rather than being dropped off at daycare.
Temperatures outside reportedly reached 95 degrees that day, while the temperature inside the car was said to have climbed as high as 115 degrees.
The situation came to light later in the afternoon when Scottie’s father discovered that she had not arrived at daycare. Her mother, who is Fazenbaker’s daughter, then contacted the grandmother to ask what had happened.
Fazenbaker reportedly rushed outside to her vehicle at around 4pm, where she found the infant unresponsive.
First responders attempted to revive Scottie, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Family Left to Grieve an Unimaginable Loss
Scottie’s death on August 13 devastated her family and prompted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Although the grand jury has declined to issue an indictment, the decision does not lessen the loss suffered by the baby’s parents and relatives.
Kington-Jarvis offered her condolences and urged the community to give the family space and support as they continue to grieve.
The case will not proceed to a criminal trial following the grand jury’s decision.