Pulaski County Prosecutor Kelly Gaumer announced that a jury handed down a unanimous verdict last week, finding Cynthia Palmer guilty of neglect of dependent, criminal recklessness, and false informing in a case involving a shocking incident of child endangerment.
In a press release from the prosecutor’s office, it was stated that Palmer drove her 2000 Buick Lesabre with a 10-year-old child seated on her lap, causing a crash into the Verizon Store located on U.S. Highway 35 North.
The press release mentioned the evidence presented during the trial overwhelmingly demonstrated Palmer’s blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of the child in her care. Gaumer argued that the defendant’s actions constituted neglect of the dependent, as she failed to provide basic automobile safety precautions, which endangered the child’s life or health. As a result of the crash, the child suffered internal injuries and the local hospital transferred the child for observation to a pediatric trauma unit in Fort Wayne.
Palmer’s conduct was characterized by criminal recklessness, as she operated the vehicle in a highly irresponsible manner, disregarding traffic laws and placing the lives of both the child and others at risk. It was mentioned the car traveled from the Plaza east of U.S. Highway 35 until its final impact in the store on the opposite side of the highway. The crash into the occupied business threatened the well-being of the employee on duty and caused substantial property damage. Additionally, the jury agreed that Palmer was guilty of false informing.
During the investigation, Palmer deliberately provided misleading information to law enforcement officials to conceal her guilt. At trial, Palmer took the stand and testified that she lied to the police about where the child was sitting in the car during the crash. She reported to police that the child was buckled in the backseat, however, surveillance footage and eyewitnesses proved that false. Those witnesses came forward to provide crucial testimony, in addition, to the first responders from Winamac Police Department, Pulaski County EMS, and Winamac Fire Department.
The sentencing hearing will be held in Pulaski Circuit Court on August 18th at 2:30 p.m. ET.
