June 10, 2004

Tot dies inside car at auto dealership

By Camille C. Spencer
caspencer@clarionledger.com

A Natchez man faces charges in the death of his 3-year-old grandson after leaving the boy unattended in a parked vehicle Wednesday at a Ridgeland car dealership, police said.

Robert Dossett, 61, of 158 Homochitto St. is charged with manslaughter and culpable negligence, said Ridgeland Police Chief Jimmy Houston. He was in the custody of the Ridgeland Police Department late Wednesday, and may be transported to Madison County Jail today, officials said.

The boy, identified as Dossett's grandson, was found dead at Clements Cadillac, 700 Adcock Drive, around 4 p.m., after being in the backseat of a four-door white late-model Cadillac since about 8 a.m.
He had come to work with his grandfather, a Cadillac employee.

Police said they don't know how long the boy was dead. It is unclear who found the boy.

Employees at Clements Cadillac would not comment.

The boy's parents are Madison residents, but police would not release their names.

Police are unclear if the car belonged to Dossett or was a dealership vehicle.

Dossett requested an attorney, but had refused to speak to police, Houston said.

Temperatures reached 90 degrees on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

"People don't understand that the inside of vehicles can reach 120 to 150 degrees," Houston said.

An autopsy will be conducted today, said Madison County Coroner Alex Breeland.