A police officer from Indiana has been charged with child neglect after allegedly forcing his six-year-old daughter to stand outside in freezing temperatures while holding a humiliating sign.
Cody Scott, a member of the Logansport Police Department, and his wife, Kylie, have both pleaded not guilty to the charges of neglecting their child. The incident occurred on January 19 when a concerned citizen called 911, reporting that a child was outside in the cold for an extended period, holding a sign.
Court records indicate that the sign displayed by the child read: “I want to stab and kill my brother. I even take an antipsychotic. If you need to give pity, then give it to the victims.” The child was allegedly punished for misbehaving during church and Sunday school, stemming from a misunderstanding about makeup. The couple reportedly made the child stand outside in 18-degree Fahrenheit weather for hours.
The couple has been charged with two counts of felony child neglect. According to the court documents, officers from the Indiana State Police, including Mr. Scott’s supervisor, responded to the situation. It’s claimed that Mr. Scott had his daughter, who has additional needs, stand outside for 30 minutes at a time, with 10-minute intervals inside to warm up.
The affidavit also mentions other signs the child was allegedly forced to carry, including one stating: “I pee on everything and cover it up like a cat,” and another stating: “I lie to hurt people.” The child was reportedly made to walk around a Walmart while carrying these signs.
On the day of the snow incident, a witness confronted Mr. Scott. He allegedly replied, “Well, sir, aside from me cruelly beating her physically, I’ve not done any other punishment that’s worked for her. She’s threatened to kill my family, she wants to embarrass us, she wants to urinate on herself and destroy things in the house. I have a DCS caseworker involved, she’s been in therapy for three years, she also has the wraparound program at school. She goes in every 30 minutes to warm back up, she’s bundled up very warm and then she’ll come back out.”
The parents claimed the child had a history of behavioral issues, including attention-seeking behaviors. However, the Indiana State Police investigator who wrote the affidavit noted that the punishment was excessive and degrading in relation to the child’s actions.
Cody Scott has been placed on unpaid administrative leave from the police department. Both parents turned themselves in and were booked into Cass County Jail, later being released on bond. Kylie Scott is scheduled to appear in court on May 22, while Cody Scott’s hearing is set for May 8, with a trial scheduled for September. Both parents have denied the charges.