A 12-year-old girl has died days after she was thrown from the top of a car, where police say an intoxicated mom had her and other kids ride because they were wet from swimming.
The girl, Octavia Watkins, died at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night when she was removed from life support, Crowley police said. She had suffered severe head injuries in the fall last week and had been hospitalized since.
Police said Kisha Young, 39, let six children ride on the hood and trunk of her Chevrolet Malibu on June 17 because their clothes were wet. The group, including another adult, had been swimming at the Creekside Community Pool.
Police said Young was arrested and charged with intoxication assault, a third degree felony, injury to a child and DWI with a child. She posted $110,000 bond and was released from jail Friday.
Crowley police said they are working with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office to determine future charges on the case.
Watkins' mother, who was an adult passenger in the car, could also be charged.
"The adults involved are responsible for the children, and whatever happens to them while they are in their care," said Crowley Police Officer CC Meadows.
Neighbors who witnessed the accident were sad to learn Watkins died.
Ellen Prince said Young did not even know the children had fallen from the back of her car until she reached the end of the street.
"We know better than to have kids riding on our car. I can’t imagine a mother, if she was a mother, letting her kids out of the car and driving like that," Prince said.
Albert Garcia said he rushed to help Watkins when he saw her on the pavement.
"She was totally unconscious the whole time, so that was my main concern," he said. "I know the mom didn’t do this on purpose. She was trying to have fun. But she needed to think this through a little bit more."
Marissa Gonzalez with Texas Child Protective Services said the surviving children are in the care of relatives and not their mothers. A CPS investigation is also underway about future custody of the children.
Funeral arrangements for the girl have not yet been revealed.
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NBC 5's Ken Kalthoff contributed to this report.
