HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) – A Texas mother is facing charges after her 1-year-old daughter was fatally struck by a car that authorities say was being driven by the mother’s boyfriend.
A lack of care is what investigators say led to the abrupt end of 1-year-old Cora’s life. The toddler was run over in the driveway of a trailer park in Harris County about 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
“Standing over that little girl, knowing that she was killed by the people that were tasked with taking care of her, it’s so unfair,” said Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare. “It’s a completely preventable tragic outcome.”
Investigators say Cora was in a car outside a trailer home with her mother, 31-year-old Morgan Ottiger, when Ottiger dozed off. The toddler allegedly wandered out onto the lot and was hit by the mother’s boyfriend, 41-year-old Cameron Link, when he was pulling into the driveway.
The 1-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
“It should have never happened, and I can’t explain… how it did happen. We have people that just are not taking care of their child like they should,” said Anthony McConnell with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators say Ottiger and Link did not immediately call 911 after Cora was hit. They also say it’s possible Ottiger was under the influence at the time of the incident.
“We’re going to keep digging and find out exactly what all we’re dealing with, what horrors this little girl went through before her life was ultimately taken,” Teare said.
Ottiger is facing a charge of reckless serious bodily injury to a child. She appeared in probable cause court Monday.
Link has not been charged in this case but was arrested Saturday on open felony warrants. The two warrants out of Harris County were for unauthorized use of a vehicle and theft, according to the sheriff’s office.
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