Dad missing, 2-year-old dead, mom in custody for child neglect

WAPT-TV reports the mother of a 2-year-old found dead after being abandoned in Scott County, Miss., is now in custody facing charges related to the girl's death.

On Thursday, Jan. 21, James and Amy Harrison, both from Salisbury, N.C., were traveling through Mississippi on Interstate 20 with their two children, a 7-year-old boy from Amy's previous relationship, and the couple's 2-year-old daughter, according to the Scott County Sheriff's Dept.

The couple reportedly had an argument around Exit 100 and Amy got out of the car and walked to a nearby gas station to call for a friend from Greenville to come pick her up.

The Scott County Coroner said James Harrison abandoned the children in the vehicle and, at some point, the children were able to walk away from the truck, but got separated. The 7-year-old approached a hunter in the woods near Tanglewood Road asking for help, sparking a search by law enforcement. Deputies found the truck the family was traveling in located off the road in a wooded area, WAPT reports.

A search of the area was conducted and the 2-year-old girl was found dead a short time later from what appears to be hypothermia. An autopsy will determine the official cause of death. The older child is in DHS custody and is living with a deputy and his family, WAPT reports.

James Harrison, last seen on Friday, appeared to be delusional, according to a resident of the area who spoke to him, and may also have been suffering from hypothermia. James never asked for help and said he was looking for his girlfriend, according to Lee. James Harrison is a type 1 diabetic and is without medicine.

Amy Harrison is in custody at the Scott County Sheriff's Office for charges of child neglect.

WLBT-TV reports Scott County authorities said they're charging James Harrison with manslaughter in the death of his 2-year-old girl.