South Carolina Man Charged with Leaving Young Daughter in a Car that Burst into Flames During a Poli
A South Carolina man is behind bars after being accused of an unspeakable crime. Police reports say 26-year-old Imhotep Osiris "O’Sha" Norman, of Spartanburg, was the subject of a routine traffic stop. Norman failed to comply and a chase ensued.
Via Fox Carolina:
"The driver did not stop and a chase began on Highway 14 until the driver led troopers onto I-85 north near mile marker 56. During this time, troopers say they observed smoke and sparks coming from the vehicle.
The smoke continued to intensify, so troopers alerted the fire department. As the car began to catch fire, troopers say they saw a large bag being thrown from the vehicle. Around mile marker 60, the car became completely engulfed in flames.
Troopers said the car's speed decreased to nearly 30 miles per hour. The driver proceeded to exit the vehicle, and take off on foot as the car rolled to a stop. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, troopers say a small body was found in the backseat."
Norman's one-year-old daughter, Xena Norman, had been in the backseat of his car, unknown to the police, the entire time. She died as a result of injuries sustained in the fire.
Norman has been charged with one count of homicide by child abuse because, authorities say, his actions led to her death. He maintains his innocence saying he didn't know the vehicle was on fire.
“I just know that the car wasn’t on fire when I got out the car. I would have stayed in that car with my daughter. I would have never got out the car while the car was on fire. I seen sparks coming from under the tires when I tried to stop and I couldn’t stop at that point. I don’t know why what happened to the car were I couldn’t stop.” He told the judge at his bond hearing.
In addition to homicide by child abuse, the Highway Patrol charged Norman with failure to stop for blue lights resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, said Highway Patrol spokesman Trooper Joe Hovis.
Little Xena's grandmother spoke out saying "That was my little angel," Linda Glenn told The Greenville News on the front porch of her Spartanburg home. "We know she’s gone to heaven. That’s the one thing we know is that little angel’s gone to heaven."
Xena Norman's family has opened a GoFundMe to help pay for her funeral expenses. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.
