North Carolina Child Killed by Elderly Neighbor Who Stopped to Help

A sad bit of irony comes to us from North Carolina, in the accidental death of a two-year-old girl who was ran over by the man who stopped, along with his wife, to help her as she wandered along a highway wearing nothing but a diaper.

According to a report from wsoctv.com, Gertrude and William Bowers were driving down Stony Gap Road, East of Albemarle, North Carolina, when the couple spotted two-year-old Neveah Tyson walking down the road alone. The couple immediately pulled into a driveway, while Mrs Bowers got out to get the child, and to ask neighbors if she belonged to them.

Based on reports from state police officers, and from the couple's son, Kris Bowers, as Gertrude called out to neighbors, William mistook it as a signal to back up. In so doing he severely injured his wife, and the child suffered fatal injuries. Gertrude Bowers ended up in intensive care with a punctured lung and broken ribs.

Lewis Morton, owner of the driveway the couple pulled into, said William Bowers was "hysterical with grief and concern." The entire event occurred Tuesday afternoon, of July 6^th, 2011, just a mile down the road from the Bowers' home. Understandably, the family is declining interviews with the media.

State Troopers say they have not filed charges against William Bowers at this time. As they complete their investigation, details will be forwarded to the Stanly County District Attorney, who would make the final decision as to whether any charges will be filed.

Was young Neveah outside alone on a 90-degree-day due to neglect? Or, as is so often the case with small children, did the child simply slip out of the parents' sights, on her own? As for why the child was out wandering alone, State Trooper Sgt R.L. Thompson reports that the Stanly County Social Services office is investigating. No comments from the child's parents were available.