S.C. man sentenced to 28 years for leaving toddler to die in burning car
11/10/2021 1:20 pm PST
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (TCD) -- A 28-year-old man was sentenced to 28 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges that related to his 19-month-old daughter dying in a burning car.
The Spartanburg County Solicitor's Office announced in a statement that Imhotep Norman pleaded guilty to homicide by child abuse, failure to stop for a blue light and siren, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, trafficking methamphetamine and possession of with intent to distribute amphetamine, possession of oxycodone, and possession of Xanax.
According to the Solicitor's Office, Norman's daughter Xena died April 12, 2019, following a car chase in which his vehicle caught on fire. Norman was reportedly speeding on Highway 14 near Johns Road when Highway Patrol officers tried stopping him. The Solicitor's Office says Norman "drove over the median of Highway 14" and proceeded to travel north on I-85.
Norman allegedly threw a backpack out of the car that allegedly contained "an assortment of illegal drugs."
Norman's car reportedly began spewing "flames and heavy smoke," and troopers eventually forced him to pull over. The statement says Norman "jumped from the burning car and left his daughter in her car seat."
Firefighters reportedly found Xena in the car after putting the fire out.
Norman reportedly fled into the woods and was taken into custody later that day during a traffic stop near USC Upstate. He reportedly told investigators he believed "law enforcement would rescue the child." Xena died from acute carbon monoxide poisoning and thermal burns.
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