Indiana Police Officer Charged with Child Neglect After Forcing Daughter to Stand Outside in Cold

     Between Community News does not generally post news stories from outside our area, but this story was such that it made me thankful that our law enforcement in our area do not engage in such atrocious behaviors--and a shout-out to our local officers for all they do to protect us.

     A disturbing incident in Logansport, Indiana, has led to charges of felony child neglect against a local police officer and his wife. Officer Cody Scott and his spouse, Kylie Scott, are accused of forcing their six-year-old daughter to stand outside in freezing temperatures while holding a sign as a form of punishment.

     On January 19, a bystander witnessed the young girl standing outside in 18-degree weather, clutching a sign that read, "I want to stab and kill my brother — even take antipsychotics — If need to pity — give it to the victims." The witness promptly called 911, leading to a response from the police, including Officer Scott himself, who was on duty at the time.

     Upon arrival, Scott acknowledged administering the punishment but attempted to justify his actions by stating that his daughter would go inside every few minutes to warm up. However, this explanation did not alleviate concerns about the appropriateness of the punishment. Body camera footage captured the interaction between Scott and the concerned witness, highlighting the severity of the situation.

     Both Cody and Kylie Scott have been charged with two counts of felony neglect of a dependent. They appeared in court and entered not-guilty pleas. The case has sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning the appropriateness of such disciplinary measures.

     The Scotts have reported that their daughter struggles with behavioral issues and has been in therapy for three years. However, this has not justified the use of degrading signs as punishment, according to investigators. Previous incidents include the girl being forced to carry signs that read, "I pee on everything and cover it up like a cat," and "I lie to hurt other people."

     The incident has drawn significant public attention, with many expressing disgust and concern for the child's well-being. Rebecca Gibbs, a witness, described the scene as "sickening" and emphasized that no child should be treated in such a manner.

     Following the incident, Officer Scott was initially placed on paid leave and later moved to unpaid administrative leave by the Logansport Board of Public Works and Safety Committee.

     The case is set to return to court on May 8, with a jury trial scheduled for September 22. The community remains vigilant, awaiting the outcome of this disturbing case