June 28, 2006

OAK RIDGE (WATE) -- Police are investigating a shocking case of child abuse in Oak Ridge. A couple is accused of getting so high they passed out in their hot car with their young child appearing lifeless in the back seat.   

Rescue crews responded to the East End Car Wash last week after mechanics working at a nearby body shop called 911.

Shaun Davis got suspicious when the car hadn't moved for more than three hours.

"When I walked over there, the woman was passed out, like basically lying in the back seat," Davis says.

His co-worker Chris McBride says, "I looked in the windows and I seen the dude drenched with sweat, and it was like hanging down from his face. There was a syringe under him and they were both passed out. We thought they were dead at first. They were so pale." 

The young men couldn't believe their eyes. The man and woman, identified by police as 23-year-old Daniel Reynolds and 21-year-old Shailyn Reynolds, weren't alone.

"That scared me when I seen the little baby like that," Davis says.

Police say the couple's 18-month-old child was in the backseat and only three of the four car windows were cracked.

McBride says, "It was a pretty hot day. We had a lot of cars and we were burning up over here."

The witnesses watched as rescue crews rushed the baby to the hospital. "She could have died. Her face was red and lips were blue. It's just horrible, you know?" McBride says. 

Police charged the Reynolds with aggravated child abuse and felony drug possession.

"As long as they don't get the kid back...I don't think they deserve to have that kid. If they're going to be out, it could have happened anywhere. They could have been driving down the road or something and pass out," Davis says.

Daniel and Shailyn Reynolds are in the Anderson County Jail, each being held on a $150,000 bond. Their preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday.