County Attorney chooses not to prosecute mother of baby who died in hot car

ST. GEORGE – Less than a month after 11-month-old Skyah Suwyn died after being left in her mother April Suwyn’s vehicle, the Washington County Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday it declines to prosecute the mother. April Suwyn will not be charged with the baby’s death. A letter explaining the County Attorney’s decision was delivered Wednesday morning to Hurricane City Police Chief Lynn Excell.

The prosecutors’ review concluded the tragedy was not caused by the negligence of a reckless parent but rather was an error by a normally conscientious mother. Belnap said:

After carefully weighing the evidence in this case, the current science of memory lapse, and the objectives of the criminal justice system, it is my conclusion that prosecuting April Suwyn for the tragic death of her daughter Skyah is not in the interest of justice.

Because the purpose of the criminal justice system is to penalize a conscious wrongdoer, Belnap said, justice will not be served prosecuting April Suwyn because she was not blameworthy of mind. An unconscious lapse of awareness is substantively different than a conscious decision to leave a baby in a car, he said.

“This is not a case where a parent chose to leave a child in a car in the grocery store parking lot and then got distracted,” he said. “The distinction between a conscious choice and an unconscious lapse of awareness is important in determining blameworthiness under the criminal law.”

Investigators ruled out any use of prescription drugs, illegal drugs, or controlled substances by April Suwyn.

“Investigators consulted with forensic examiners from the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit to identify red flags of intentional wrongdoing,” Belnap said. “Investigators concluded that April’s conduct was consistent with inadvertent lapse of awareness and there were no indicators of willful bad acts.”

The criminal justice system requires prosecutors to weigh a number of factors in determining whether to proceed with a prosecution, Belnap said. Those factors weigh against prosecuting April Suwyn. They include:

  • Retribution – In terms of retribution, no societal punishment (jail or fine) could exceed the pain April Suwyn is already suffering from the loss of her child due to her inadvertent lapse of awareness.
  • Deterrence – The purpose of deterrence is to send a warning to those who would chose to commit criminal acts. The possibility of criminal prosecution encourages them to think twice. However, this particular type of memory lapse is unlikely to be deterred by the threat of prosecution. Because the fear of losing a beloved child does not counteract the brain’s lapse of awareness, the added possibility of a criminal prosecution would provide only marginal deterrence at best.
  • Rehabilitation – Because the scientific research and the evidence suggest that April Suwyn’s lapse of awareness was outside her volitional control, there is no wrongful conduct from which to rehabilitate April Suwyn. Some might suggest that prosecution would serve a useful rehabilitative purpose by providing social services to April Suwyn and her family, but those resources are available without criminal charges.
  • Incapacitation – Jailing April Suwyn to protect society is unnecessary because April Suwyn is not a threat to reoffend. April Suwyn’s actions were not the result of a conscious choice and she has already suffered the unimaginably painful consequence of the loss of her child.

The investigation

The initial investigation by the Hurricane City Police Department concluded on Aug. 14 at which point Washington County Attorney Brock Belnap confirmed that his office had received the investigative reports from the Hurricane Police Department and that they were reviewing the reports carefully to determine what is in the interest of justice.

The Suwyn family | Photo courtesy of Gofundme.com
The Suwyn family | Photo courtesy of Gofundme.com

Skyah had been left in her car seat inside the vehicle for “a substantial period of time” before being discovered at 1 p.m., Hurricane Police Sgt. Brandon Buell said in an Aug. 1 statement.

Utah State Medical Examiner Todd C. Grey, M.D. ruled that Skyah’s cause of death was hyperthermia and that the manner of the death was accidental.

The prosecutor’s report released on Wednesday outlined a little more detail about what led up to Skyah’s death.

Road work forced April Suwyn to park down the street from her home after she had dropped her two boys off at a babysitter approximately 5 miles from her home, the report said. April Suwyn then rushed inside to use the restroom and forgot that 11-month-old Skyah was still in the back seat. Skyah, who reportedly often slept while her mother worked, wasn’t discovered until April Suwyn picked her sons up from the babysitter.

“When April arrived at the babysitter’s house,” the report said, “she left the vehicle running and ran inside to get her sons. She told them to hurry because Skyah was sleeping at home. As April was loading the boys into the car, she saw Skyah in the car seat and started to scream.”

Emergency responders found that Skyah was not breathing, and CPR was being performed, Buell said. Paramedics arrived on scene and tended to the infant, who was then transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center by Life Flight medical helicopter in extreme critical condition. Skyah was pronounced dead at the hospital.

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141 Comments

  • This was negligent homicide August 27, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    It says right there in the report that she ‘hurried’ to the babysitters and said the baby was sleeping at home. So this ‘good mother’ left her baby home alone, and didn’t even check on the baby before she left the house?! (If she’d checked, she’d have seen the baby wasn’t in her crib.
    Well, if i ever accidently kill someone, I’ll be sure to say I was tired and I’m sorry it happened. The precedent is set- negligent homicide is now legal!

    • Check the facts again, Belnap. August 28, 2014 at 11:29 am

      Ok so, if the sitter’s home is about 5 miles away from her house, this means she drove a total of about 10 miles, leaving her baby home alone the entire time. That’ ALONE should be a good enough reason to charge her. You don’t do that, period!

    • Sweet Jude August 28, 2014 at 12:38 pm

      God bless the families involved with this case. I know this was a most difficult undertaking for the county prosecutor. It was great judgment. Unfortunately, many miserables are quick to judge, yet they have no knowledge of the concious awareness and subsequent memory lapses that many of us go through due to stress, worry, and other factors.

      A comprehensive investigation has been done, and I am satisfied that no justice needs to be served in this case. It is a far cry from other cases in which leaving a baby in a car is sometimes done intentionally or without care. But in this case, there is nothing to indicate that it was done with intention. The case is now laid to rest. May the families receive our full-fledged support knowing they are free from blame.

    • JLP August 29, 2014 at 1:10 pm

      I have to agree with this post. Belnap is about as incompetent and possibly corrupt as they come. I am certain that this mother did not purposely commit this crime, BUT, she is still liable and should be held accountable for her actions. At the end of the day, there is a toddler that has died due to her actions. I would like to know more about her other children and their situation. Very unprofessional and unconstitutional. Shame on this action with the county prosecutor and any one else involved in this decision.

  • WTF August 27, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    No jail time? No child protective services checking in on the other kids? Someone needs to check in to the county attorney. This is terrible!

  • real life August 27, 2014 at 4:07 pm

    Be honest now. If this was not a “ward member”, would things be a little different?

  • Dave August 27, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    I’m surprised and outraged, that there wasn’t even the consideration of ordering April Suwyn to a certain period of psychiatric evaluation, to determine if she is still mentally capable of caring for her other two children…. (To ensure that she is not so distraught, that she have yet another “unconscious” lapse). I also believe that she should be ordered to complete a given period of community service… Perhaps educating groups to the dangers of leaving your child in a vehicle… Does this set a precedence, for everyone, now? For example, what if someone accidentally kills a bicyclist, with their vehicle- because they were distracted for a few seconds… because of a recent “change in their routine”? … Or because they were tired??? This is ridiculous! Especially when using the word “unconscious”, instead of “subconscious”.

    • Sweet Jude August 28, 2014 at 12:43 pm

      One has to wonder how many fingers are pointing back at you. Did not the Lord give second chances for our mistakes? And how much more for even our humanness. Not to mention things that are done without intent. Do you know the human heart? Probably not. Maybe you should consider your own fate. There will be a day of judgment, and it may come to your surprise. May I hint there will be no mercy for the merciless in that fateful day for those who think they have it all right.

      • Dave August 28, 2014 at 8:43 pm

        SWEET JUDE; Why are you and many others, so focused on “intent”? Why are the laws in this State, so focused on “intent”? What if I accidentally forgot to take my infant son into the house and someone found him, an hour later, unharmed… but crying? And after the police investigating me, they determined that he was left alone for a significant amount of time? And then you read that I blamed it on being sleep-deprived and distracted? And THEN, read that I was charged with neglect and/or endangerment of a child and was ordered to spend 30 days in jail and complete 500 hours of community service? You would more than likely have sung quite a different tune.

        • Sweet Jude August 29, 2014 at 1:38 pm

          Dave,

          Bury it once and for all. You will be singing a different tune once you do this. None of us know everything. So let it go.

  • unbelievable August 27, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    Seems that the county attorney has set a very bad precedent for himself that will now be used by multiple attorney for defense. Time for a new county attorney. vote him out.

    • Jeff August 27, 2014 at 5:26 pm

      He was just re-elected! This has nothing to do with justice and the law. I think this DA was told not to charge her. I have never seen such a diatribe written to defend his position. This has to do with religion, his and hers!

      • Jaybird August 29, 2014 at 8:17 am

        Sounds like a recall is in order.

  • Codeman August 27, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    she should get tied or sniped. Yep…I guess Negligent Homicide is LEGAL Pisses me Off
    Makes me SICK!!

    • Dave August 29, 2014 at 10:00 am

      Your comment suggesting the mother get “tied or sniped” makes me sick! And did you mean “snipped”, instead of “sniped”?? Those are two very different words and either of them, are very hateful. I’ve been one of the people who have submitted the majority of the replies AGAINST the mother, but never have I entertained a thought so cruel and unwarranted. You need a spritual reality check, buddy! And if you did mean “sniped”, then you deserve legal repercussions, for soliciting a felony.

      • Reader August 29, 2014 at 12:45 pm

        Leave him alone. Codeman is normally a very conscientious person. He just had a lapse in judgement, and is perhaps a little sleep deprived. You can’t really blame him for having an “unconscious lapse of judgement”.
        He’s suffered enough from your diatribe. Felony charges would help no one.
        Help him heal by donating at gofundme / codemanissorry. com

        • Codeman August 31, 2014 at 8:44 pm

          Lets have you sit in your Car and see What Suffering is and try and Spell ……*!
          Ed. ellipsis …*

      • Codeman August 31, 2014 at 11:54 am

        Lets Have You sit in the your car next and see what suffering is …!
        Ed. ellipsis.

  • Char August 27, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    And she gets thousands of $ donated to her for her ‘hurt’……

    • Bobber August 28, 2014 at 10:54 am

      Is it possible that some of those $ found their way into the county attorney’s pocket?

  • redredred August 27, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    This mother has suffered greatly from this event, and will continue to do so the rest of her life. Enough said…

    • Utah Mom August 27, 2014 at 6:05 pm

      I hope she does suffer for the rest of her life because he daughter sure suffered under her mothers watch.

      • Yep August 27, 2014 at 9:09 pm

        D..* right Utah mom.
        *Ed. ellipses

    • Donsher August 28, 2014 at 7:53 am

      Agreed. This was an accident, a sad horrible accident. Would we prosecute a mother who accidentally backed over a small toddle in her driveway? No. Tragic, yes, malicious intent, no. Worry about the really criminals. Lets prosecute evil like child molesters, rapist, etc… and not waste time on an accident. Condolences to the family .

  • St. George Felony August 27, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    You know, the SGPD writes enough traffic tickets, and enforces them; writes up enough felonies and tickets for under age drinking; yet cannot get a County Attorney to prosecute a woman who is admittedly guilty of involuntary manslaughter. What is the mother’s mental condition? Was there any discovery on that? Is the mother taking prescriptions or other illegal drugs? Does she have an unstable personality? She broiled her own child in a hot vehicle, and she has two other children. Child Protective Services, for the sake of her other two living children, should be looking into this case. She should be NO WHERE near her sons. She KILLED her daughter. She is a horrible mom. Quit praising her. Quit giving her money and hand outs. Put her in jail!

    • Jeff August 27, 2014 at 5:27 pm

      Her bishop and stake president said he was all good and that’s all it took to decide not to charge her. I feel the DA got his orders from higher ups in the church!

      • Sweet Jude August 28, 2014 at 12:51 pm

        You all are so caught up in the news because of the tragedies that happened with intent in other cities. However, this is not the case here. So lay your anger (and your pride) to rest. It is not your position, neither your judgment, neither your right, neither your ability in your finiteness and total limitations, except being victims to your own diabolical rage, to judge any person under any circunmstance. Period. If any of you were to judge, all would go to hell. But your hell would come first. Now calm your delusioned minds and think of something to work on for your own sakes. Maybe your own hypocrisy would be a start. The day of judgment is reserved for those who judge and hate. Then maybe you’ll lament, and pretend that your days were blameless.

        • wake up August 29, 2014 at 12:20 pm

          I think it’s very clear who is delusional here.

        • Rachel August 29, 2014 at 2:21 pm

          But it IS our civic duty to choose and elect leaders and civil servants who will uphold the law.

        • DAVE August 29, 2014 at 7:12 pm

          SWEET JUDE,
          I wish it were that easy (to bury it / let it go)… I feel remorse for this woman, as I cannot begin to imagine the emotional pain she must be feeling, even as I am writing this… What i have a problem with is:
          1) She had this”inadvertent lapse in memory” for approx. 2 hours.
          2) Brock Belnap’s letter to the Chief of Police is vague, in the sense that it does not explain whether-or-not there was someone at the house (to watch Skyah, who was believed to have been napping), while she drove back to sitters house to retrieve her sons.
          3) From what I have been led to believe (assume, is a better word) is the April Suwyn is a stay-at-home mom … who works from home… goes to the gym… has an EASY life, compared to a lot other mothers… yet lost track of her only daughter (who is only 11 months old) for approx. 2 hrs.

          Yes, there’s the 99.99% chance that this was not intentional, but there is still the matter of her poor child suffering and then expiring, due to this mother’s negligence.

          Laws exist for a reason. Some decisions to prosecute are harsh and others are lenient. I actually want to be lenient in how I view this case… i just want to know what is so special about this woman, that I should just let this go?

        • DAVE August 29, 2014 at 7:37 pm

          SWEET JUDE – What gives the BISHOP of a church the right to be a mortal man to which you are told to confess your sins to? What mortal man has the right to ex-communicate a member of the church, for going against the church’s principles? What mortal man has the right to proclaim himself of prophet of God? What mortal District Attorney / Jury / Judge , has the right to lay down a punishment on another mortal man or woman, for what THEY view is “unjust, immoral”?… Your mentality is deluded, for the fact that: “When Jesus told us not to judge (Matthew 7:1), He was telling us not to judge hypocritically…What Jesus was condemning here was hypocritical, self-righteous judgments of others…. If a believer sees another believer sinning, it is his Christian duty to lovingly and respectfully confront the person with his sin (Matthew 18:15-17). This is not judging, but rather pointing out the truth in hope—and with the ultimate goal—of bringing repentance in the other person (James 5:20) and restoration to the fellowship”.

          James 2:8–9
          If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well… But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

          Was there “partiality” here? Because of sleep deprivation… stress… change of routine? … pressure from the LDS community to be extremely lenient?

          I’ll never know. And all I ask for is one VALID excuse.

  • Koolaid August 27, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    Now if it had been a cat, dog or some other pet, the entire community would be in an uproar about the mistreatment and abuse of the animal. But, with a baby, and the prospect she may be young and fertile, able to have more babies while remaining worthy… not a big deal. Fund raiser!

  • Don't Judge Others August 27, 2014 at 4:47 pm

    What kind of person forgets a baby?
    The wealthy do, it turns out. And the poor, and the middle class. Parents of all ages and ethnicities do it. Mothers are just as likely to do it as fathers. It happens to the chronically absent-minded and to the fanatically organized, to the college-educated and to the marginally literate. In the last 10 years, it has happened to a dentist. A postal clerk. A social worker. A police officer. An accountant. A soldier. A paralegal. An electrician. A Protestant clergyman. A rabbinical student. A nurse. A construction worker. An assistant principal. It happened to a mental health counselor, a college professor and a pizza chef. It happened to a pediatrician. It happened to a rocket scientist. IT COULD EVEN HAPPEN TO YOU!

    • Utah Mom August 27, 2014 at 6:47 pm

      It does not happen to everyone as most parents don’t “forget” they have a child in the car. There have been 23 deaths due to a child being left in a hot car. Only 23 deaths and that is 23 too many!

    • Chris August 27, 2014 at 7:35 pm

      People from all walks of life forget their babies. So what? It only shows that various kinds of people are bad parents. We can and should judge others. That is what the law is all about.

    • I went to college August 28, 2014 at 11:20 am

      What kind of person forgets a baby? An irresponsible one. It wont happen to me because I know that if I (a non-LDS member) did that I would definitely be going to prison. And because I truly care about my family and would never even risk roasting my baby in a hot car. So please ‘DONT JUDGE OTHERS’, this has nothing to do with judgement, so quit trying to justify manslaughter.

    • SmartDad August 28, 2014 at 1:36 pm

      Bull. I would never forget my child in a car. Never ever. Negligent parents leave their babies in cars. Good parents do not.

    • Jaybird August 29, 2014 at 8:20 am

      Actually, DON’T JUDGE OTHERS”, it does happen to others and most of them are in jail now.

  • Sick and Tired of Petty Heartless Comments August 27, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    Dear people of stgeorgeutah.com’s website that CONSTANTLY troll and comment on every article, whether you know what you are talking about or not: shame on you. Do you really honestly think this woman and mother has not been through enough, and you continue to bash her? It’s mighty brave of you to sit behind a keyboard and judge and condemn. Real Life: You and KOOLAID need to get a life. I’m sorry to say, but every article on this website doesn’t revolve around “ward members” or “bishops” or whatever. THIS is an article about a woman who has been through hell and back, and you all continue to bash on her. SHAME ON YOU. If this was your mother, daughter, sister, would you say the same? I doubt it! Give it a break. Have a heart. Use your brain. Quit dragging her through the gutter, she has already been through enough. Think twice, or AT ALL, before you write your ignorant comments.

    • bobber August 27, 2014 at 5:51 pm

      I thought about the whole “after what she’s been through, she doesn’t need any more punishment” thing for myself, but she actually did murder a person (yes, a baby is a person) and justice needs to be served here. Lock her up!

    • real life August 27, 2014 at 9:18 pm

      No. Shame on you. How can you actually look at yourself in the mirror? THIS is an article that is about a woman who just got completely off, without even being sent for a phsychiatric evaluation. The question has to be asked: WHY IS THERE ABSOLUTELY ZERO REPROCAUTIONS? Any one else, and I mean anyone, would have had to answer. So go back to your happy little world and pretend nobody noticed. BUT WE DID.

    • Ann August 28, 2014 at 8:07 am

      Very well said! I agree with you 100%.

    • SmartDad August 28, 2014 at 1:42 pm

      No. A child died because of her. A life ended because of a negligent mother. She belongs in jail, not on gofundme.

  • Shawn August 27, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    Just goes to show what a joke our Criminal System has turned into. You smoke a cigarette in the car with a kid you get a ticket. You spank a kid for doing something wrong you go to jail. You leave a kid in a car to suffer and die you get a fundraiser and no punishment. I have lost faith in Humanity.

  • Jeff August 27, 2014 at 4:54 pm

    I think Belnap lacks any spine at all and surely doesn’t care about justice nor does he care about the poor baby who died. We all know that he would have gone for the jugular had this been a non-member! He was re-elected by the Mormons for the Mormons. Grow a pair Belnap, what a disgusting human!

    • Utah Mom August 27, 2014 at 6:07 pm

      He would have prosecuted if the baby was a dog that was left in a car to die a horrible death.

  • Dana August 27, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    There is nothing anyone can say or do to this woman to punish her anymore than she is punishing herself. I commend Washington County Attorney Brock Belnap for making this extremely difficult decision. If you have children, give them a hug and thank the God you pray to that you never made this mistake.

  • Codeman August 27, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    ZOMBIES EAT BRAINS…YOUR SAFE …ATTORNEY AND MOTHER…YEP

  • Codeman August 27, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    NEWS Flash…Mother throws away in Dumpster….”She’s NOT A MONSTER”….Wow…Really!

  • Codeman August 27, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    A Baby Discovered in Dumpster…She couldn’t Til NEXT Summer!! LOL

  • Codeman August 27, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    Guess they can keep all that Cash donations for legal Fees and Go on Vacation and Make more babies…

  • bobber August 27, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    Another perfectly worthy member gets a pass on murder, enough said…

  • STOP IT August 27, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    It’s good we have county attorneys and judges that are smart and have all the facts., and it’s not left up to you stupid people that have no right to be the judges in this situation. It’s surprising that you haven’t all been translated, since you are all so perfect. I hope nothing ever happens to any one in your families. But you know about karma , all this meanness will come back to bite you all! Don’t whine when it does…

  • Harold August 27, 2014 at 5:28 pm

    I can’t believe the Washington County attorney is refusing to do the job that we voted him in to do. This is a state child neglect law that you are neglecting to enforce. You are sworn to an oath of office to enforce the law. Do I think she should got to jail? NO, This is not about punishment because no one can give her a harsher punishment then she has already received. This is about accountability for her negligent actions which resulted in the death of her helpless child. I fell bad for her and her family, but she needs to be held accountable for her lack in judgement. Bottom line.

    • Utah Mom August 27, 2014 at 6:40 pm

      Harold, that is EXACTLY how I feel. I do not think she should go to jail but she failed in her duties as a parent to protect her child and there needs to be some kind of accountability for her actions. If someone leave a dog in a car and it dies they are charged and can spend time in jail but nothing if it is a baby? Something is wrong here.

  • Wheeleroad August 27, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    Sure are a bunch of thoughtful people around these parts. Do any of you know this family or what they are going through. I doubt it. How much justice would be servered prosecuting this mother further except to satisfy a few of you perfect people. I hope that when tragedy strikes your life that folks show you the compassion that so many seem to lack.

    • Neverhurtanyone August 27, 2014 at 7:09 pm

      I think it has to do with the fact that many of us have made mistakes, but she is exempt from any form of punishment. Here I am, having to go to court multiple times and pay thousands of dollars for possessing a personal amount of marijuana, having to get booked as a criminal and treated as one. I guess if I had killed a child i’d be better off than smoking some benign herbs.

    • Sl August 28, 2014 at 5:37 am

      No one is perfect and that is not what this is about. It’s about a mom that did not safe guard her child. You have kids or g kids? How would you feel if April left one of them in a hot car to die because she has better things to do, like pee and paint nails and visit friends. She didn’t forget that.

    • Sweet Jude August 29, 2014 at 1:49 pm

      This area is full of so many perfectionistic fanatics. So many claim to be right and politically correct, yet they fail so miserably in their own lives. Isn’t that called perverted justice? They scream so loudly like crybabies point after point, but completely miss the mark.

  • Brian August 27, 2014 at 5:44 pm

    While I don’t condone the carelessness that led to this babies death, I forgive the mother and hope she and her family are able to find peace. 100% of the honest people posting here (and 100% of the rest) have been guilty of the same level (if not the same kind) of carelessness and forgetfulness, many, many times in our lives.

    • bobber August 27, 2014 at 8:16 pm

      hurr durr should we let good ol’ brian get the final word. im sure its all ok now that brian has forgiven her

    • Panda August 28, 2014 at 9:54 am

      It’s not about forgiveness it’s about her being held accountable and taking responsibility. I can forgive her and feel compassion for her and yet still want her to be held accountable.

  • Beer August 27, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    If I give my 19 year old a beer, I get arrested for a bunch of stuff, and local idiots will say what a terrible negligent irresponsible parent I am. Leave my baby in the car to roast, those same people give me a fund raiser.

    • Reader August 27, 2014 at 7:09 pm

      That depends- where you sorry for giving him the beer? Were you tired when you did it? Was this out of your normal routine? Are you a pretty Mormon girl?
      If you said ‘no’ to any of those, then you deserve the full wrath of the law.
      If you said ‘yes’, when can we schedule you a fundraiser?

      • Herd August 29, 2014 at 7:05 am

        Did some bishop vouch for your clean ward record and current with tithing and good mission somewhere? How much money do you tithe?

  • Utah Mom August 27, 2014 at 6:12 pm

    Before more parents use the same weak excuse April did the people of Utah need to WRITE TO THE STATE ATTORNEYS OFFICE ABOUT THE BELNAP’S DECISION. http://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/protecting-children/
    OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
    Utah State Capitol Complex
    350 North State Street Suite 230
    SLC UT 84114-2320
    GENERAL OFFICE NUMBERS:
    (801) 366-0260
    (801) 538-9600
    (801) 366-0300

  • Redrock lover August 27, 2014 at 6:22 pm

    I sure wish we has the outpouring of “compassion” when my ex-husband went to prison for a white collar crime. People were absolutely horrible- most of them LDS. He’s been incarcerated for 4 years…I have no child support, we lost everything, but as my bishop at the time told me “you are his collateral damage”. In short- yes, I know what suffering is. I also think that she should not get off completely free. We all have to live with the consequences of our actions-and sadly the consequences of others. What about texting and driving, etc- are we all free from consequences if “it’s a mistake”? I was distracted? Must be that compassion does not apply to everyone.

    • HERD August 27, 2014 at 7:08 pm

      Are you still one of the worthy herd?

      • Redrock lover August 27, 2014 at 8:33 pm

        No. Stopped drinking that kool-aide.

        • Herd August 29, 2014 at 7:02 am

          Smart. Enjoy coffee for a change instead of the dilluded koolaid. Don’t succumb to pressure to become one of the herd again.

  • pissed August 27, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    If it would have been one of their children left in the car they would have a different perspective.

  • pissed August 27, 2014 at 6:45 pm

    I keep seeing on all these sites everyone supports the community that’s bs they supported her because she goes to the gym. there is a few others on go fund me that are a part of our great town and community. They don’t get help. What are they from the wronge side of the tracks. April should have been charged and the attorney should not have been able to do anything the supporters of April were sending in so many stories. For one side ….maybe we should have all been sending him letters why she should be charged.

  • Mark Vinclio August 27, 2014 at 6:52 pm

    Fire all the legislatures we don’t need them to write laws they are not enforced. Lawyers are ruining the world day by day.
    Leaving a kid in a car is illegal. DA failed to do his job. Be glad this was after the election.

  • ALICE August 27, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    Little Betty ate a pound of aspirin she got them from the shelf upon the wall
    Betty’s mommy wasn’t there to save her she didn’t even hear her little baby call
    Dead babies can’t take care of themselves dead babies can’t take things off the shelf
    Well we didn’t want you anyway lalalalalalalalalalala
    Daddy is an agrophile in Texas mommy’s on the bar most every night
    Little Betty’s sleeping in the graveyard living there in burgundy and white
    Dead babies can’t take care of themselves dead babies can’t take things off the shelf
    Well we didn’t love you anyway lalalalalalalalalalala
    Goodbye little Betty goodbye little Betty so long little Betty so long little Betty Betty so long
    Dead babies can’t take care of themselves dead babies can’t take things off the shelf
    Well we didn’t need you anyway lalalalalalalalalalala goodbye little Betty http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEe-N80w7Rs

  • ladybugavenger August 27, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    If it would have been me, guaranteed I would have been prosecuted. I don’t drink, don’t take prescription drugs, don’t take illegal drugs but I would have been prosecuted cuz I’m not morman

  • bobber August 27, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    Imagine if it would have been one of you people’s very own babies she killed in the car and not her own. You would want some justice right? THIS WOMAN IS A BABY KILLER! PLAIN AND SIMPLE…

    • ... August 28, 2014 at 2:04 am

      My thoughts exactly. Stories seem very inconsistent. And if she was picking the boys up and thought the baby was sleeping WHY THE HELL WOULD SHE LEAVE HER HOME ALONE? baby killer for sure.

  • Ryan August 27, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    Kudos to the County Attorneys Office for taking an unpopular, but correct course of action. A prosecutors job is “to seek justice” for all parties involved- and that includes the mother in this case. This situation was a horrible accident. No criminal intent. Now let’s rally around this family to try to ease their pain. Let’s also double check the baby car seat every time we exit a car.

  • Jeff August 27, 2014 at 8:51 pm

    Well If I ever get pulled over, I’m going to use the DA excuse! Seems that now we can claim “unconscious lapse of awareness” and not be held accountable for our actions! Who would like to wager if the DA’s office will equally apply this new excuse for all who claim it!

  • Tom August 27, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    If you are not going to judge her, then stop judging people who do much lesser crimes.

  • The Rest Of The Story August 27, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    Apparently it pays to know the right people down at the ward.

  • pissed August 27, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    Can someone help me to understand how you can have or be unaware with one child but not the other two?

  • Bobber+aids=Koolaid August 27, 2014 at 9:37 pm

    How about if all you losers are charged for raising stupid, dumbb…*, worthless, insensitive, shouldn’t be alive children. That are worthless to the world and society. And being that your the parents of such kids you yourselves would be the same. Then your parents should be arrested for raising dumbbass kids. If you need examples then look at all your comments. Who knows what really happened. If the evidence says she’s not guilty to charge then that’s how it is. Complain all you want the sad part is when you all wake up and look in the mirror your still you. That must be the starting of a bad day. I know you can all go to some desk jockey employed by the state or Feds (because they have no motivation in life to become successful in anything more than what they’ve become, unsuccessful) and you can complain that your parents should have used a condom but they didn’t so arrest them. Oh ya hope you all complained when 30,000 people are killed every year by drunk drivers, 10,000 minorities kill each other and wonder the streets. If we need no evidence to charge people for crimes, I would have you all arrested for being who you are.
    *Ed. ellipses

  • John Public August 27, 2014 at 10:06 pm

    As stated by others here, I’m amazed at the people that carry their signs in front of them, oops I mean continue to attempt to tie everything to religion. What a sad life. One item I’m sure our county attorney considered but apparently no else has, is that if he charges her with a crime and it goes to prosecution, would he be able to get a jury to convict. In this case I seriously doubt it. Consequently it would just be a waste of tax payer time and money. Why charge if you cant convict? I feel for her and the family, but also feel there was some negligence there, however again I doubt a jury conviction would be possible.

  • PerryMasonFan August 27, 2014 at 10:09 pm

    I thought we had juries to decide whether guilty or not guilty…..?

  • TheDude August 27, 2014 at 11:40 pm

    I know that many of you say “She will remember this for the rest of her life”. Yet many who have experienced trauma in their life seem unfazed. This is part of the brains adjustment to trauma. She is a victim, of her own inaction. And should have to pay a civil price for her inaction. This helps the healing process. Otherwise she will have more trauma to down the road.

    • TheDude August 28, 2014 at 12:01 am

      Ment to say mis-adjustment not adjustment, and too not to. If she blocks it out she has a PTSD wound. Got a work the steps Dude. Amends man, amends.

  • tinker toys August 28, 2014 at 3:46 am

    I am glad I did not vote for our LDS controlled county attorney. Washington County and Colorado City, the apple did not fall far from the tree. Kill your kids and your FLDS its ok, kill your kids and your LDS its ok. Shame on Brock!

  • Sl August 28, 2014 at 5:29 am

    So pathetic that this crime was not investigated and no medical eval of April. Something is really stinky in Utah and that would be the control the Mormons have over everything. I’ve heard it and read about it, but now I see it really does work that way. Someone was told what to do if he wanted to keep his job. I hope he can sleep at night. April knows what she did. She killed her baby. I hope she can handle the next 6 kids she is expected to have. I wonder how this crime will be handled when a non-Mormon leaves her child at home alone or in a hot car to die. April didn’t even get a slap on the hand for her routine of leaving baby home alone. Good luck, April. You may forget you had kids but we will always remember you as the mom that got away with a horrific crime.

  • Dave August 28, 2014 at 5:41 am

    Inadvertent lapse of awareness… cognitive neuroscience… a conflict between the basic ganglin and the hippocampus / pre-frontal cortex…

    http://www.troll.me/meme/brock-belnap

  • Whatthehell??? August 28, 2014 at 5:53 am

    Did I just actually read an informative and fairly well written article?! Not…sure…how…to…process…this……..

    No comment regarding the topic addressed, as my opinions are surly as ignorant and worthless as those who posted before me.

    I will however, leave with a parting tip to my fellow posters; before you opine, read the article, gather additional information, carefully consider and process it fully prior to announcing your nasty side to the public.

    • Jeff Benton August 28, 2014 at 9:20 am

      You might be wise to do some research on how the laws are applied differently, depending on your social status and religion in Utah. My bad you would rather live with your head in the sand as you and your ilk never do anything wrong. I see you have you don’t have the courage to use your real name. Rather telling of your weakness in your fairy tale position!

  • Redredred August 28, 2014 at 7:39 am

    Nationally 49% of these deaths are prosciutted .

    • TheDude August 28, 2014 at 12:50 pm

      Redredred, could you please show a link to the where you got that statistic.

  • Lb August 28, 2014 at 7:42 am

    Who are you people’s

  • Betty August 28, 2014 at 7:51 am

    Oh Brock Belnap… so sad you chose not to prosecute this woman. Would this have been your decision before the election? I can’t help but wonder if Nate Caplin would have made the same decision. Did the good people of Washington County make a mistake when they cast their ballot for you?

    Why was there a decision to prosecute the woman who hit and killed/injured the couple on Dixie Drive? I’m sure she did intend to hurt any one, she just looked away from the road for a brief period of time. Whereas April’s decision to leave her infant at home – alone – to make a 10-mile journey (5 there, 5 back) was intentional. Let’s say she didn’t leave the infant in the car and she left her sleeping at home while she made that 10-mile journey and the house caught on fire… or someone broke into the house and took the infant… or ____________ (fill in the blank)would she still be let off scott-free? Another thing to consider, is her home zoned as a business since she is obviously conducting business from there. Does she have a current business license? Does she pay taxes on this business income? Hopefully she does pay taxes on this income. Brock has to be paid until we can replace him.

    • SMH August 28, 2014 at 10:52 am

      I agree Betty! I couldn’t have said it better myself.

    • Sl August 31, 2014 at 10:47 pm

      Well said, Betty.

  • Incognegro (Josh Dalton) August 28, 2014 at 8:40 am

    Oh but wait Utah! Lets charge a special needs girl who throws her baby in the trash can,because she had no idea what she was doing….but let the completely competent educated upper-middle class woman off scott free because she misplaced her infant child, and let the poor thing cook in the back seat. Who cares what she thought….I thought is was ok to drive drunk and SGPD gladly gave me a DUI. Maybe I should have said I forgot I was not supposed to drive under the influence of alcohol. Ya right, the judge would have ruined my life!

  • Rachel August 28, 2014 at 8:57 am

    I feel for the mother, I really do. I don’t believe that it was intentional. However, my friend accidentally killed one of our friends due to a car accident. Even though the parents of the deceased did not want to press charges and even though my friend still suffers mentally for the loss of our friend at his hand, the DA still prosecuted him for involuntary manslaughter. And truly, I think that it made him a better person. I think it helped him heal a little.

    • TheDude August 29, 2014 at 7:43 am

      Right on! You need to make amends to everyone, including socity.

  • A sad community member August 28, 2014 at 9:38 am

    This mother made a terrible mistake. She is suffering greatly. She didn’t do it in purpose and that was proven. Everyone talks about “justice” but if it isn’t what you want it to be you become cruel and heartless. I believe this was the right outcome in this case. When you all become PERFECT then maybe those of us who have a heart will care what you have to say. How can you all use this tragedy as your platform to rip others to pieces. I will never understand how all of you could have such hatred in your hearts. When you make a mistake maybe the news should write am article on it and then you should be made to sit and read the horrible things said about you. You are not Judge and Jury. If you were you would be a hell of a lot smarter and a hell of a lot wiser. We as a community should be better at supporting each other. Shame on all of you for pretending to be perfect. If you were, you might not be so ignorant. Get rid of that black heart.

    • ladybugavenger August 28, 2014 at 11:42 am

      Did you just call us all “PERFECT” what???? This isn’t about being perfect. Its about accountability. Many of us that are outraged is because we are not perfect and have made mistakes and have been held accountable for them, and our mistakes may not have caused a death but yet weve had to pay for our lack of judment or mindless mistake, while she gets no accountability for causing a death of a child. Outrageous!!!

    • TheDude August 29, 2014 at 7:48 am

      She is hurting and will heal. But to overcome her remorse she must go thru the prossess. And that is going thru the civic court system.

  • Panda August 28, 2014 at 9:43 am

    She made a choice to leave her in the car to go to the bathroom and got distracted. How is that different than choosing to leave your child in the car to go into the grocery store and then getting distracted? How does a mother get that distracted twice. Once to go to the bathroom and once to leave the house supposedly purposely leaving the child sleep alone in the house while you are gone. At 11 months my daughter was climbing out of her own crib leaving her home alone for even 5 minutes would never have been an option.

  • bobber August 28, 2014 at 10:07 am

    I think if I’d broiled my own child alive in what was basically an oven I’d want to be locked up for awhile. I think a person needs to feel like they paid their debt, so I think some jail time is the right thing. The woman needs to pay a debt to society for what she’s done and an example needs to be set here.

  • My Evil Twin August 28, 2014 at 11:08 am

    I honestly do not know how this mother can live with herself.

  • lynch mob mentalities August 28, 2014 at 11:25 am

    Wow, angry know it all lynch mob… can anyone think for theirself? Srrsly, non of u have sped? Cause u r just as murderous if u have. A tire could have blown and threw your car into someone elses and killed their baby! U r all angry hypocrites. Dang. And im not mormon, never have been, so cant blame that!

    • proudtobeamerican August 28, 2014 at 12:40 pm

      There are no accidents….based on results you have what you intend. There is something call accountability. If your tire blows, then you should have replaced the bad tire when it was recommended to you on you last service. Ok, lets say it got punctured by a road hazard, well maybe traveling at 80-90mph is a little to excessive if you lost control of you vehicle and slammed into another. I could even go as far as to say that you chose to get behind the wheel that day.

      • saddened by the perfection u shove August 29, 2014 at 8:20 am

        try. you must. fail, u did.

    • tinker toys August 28, 2014 at 3:03 pm

      Calling the people on here hypocrites requires that they have flame broiled or otherwise murdered a baby, that is a false assumption. Why don’t you stop defending a homocide.

      • forgive me for having my own opinion August 29, 2014 at 8:22 am

        does this comment carry a warrenty? fail.

    • Sweet Jude August 29, 2014 at 1:59 pm

      Exactly, well said. The real murderers are the ones who prey on others every chance they get. They are the real reason for all the sadness and pain in this world. I see them everywhere. They love and feed off of hatred. But believe me, their day will come.

  • EL JEFE August 28, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    RECALL BELNAP!!!!!!

  • Swaggy August 28, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    All of you that are outraged about the death of a young child are most likely pro-choice. And those that are sympathetic for the mother, pro-life. No?? You are all hypocrites.

    • why so mad everything going your way? August 29, 2014 at 8:35 am

      yep, you are 100 percent correct. they live in free country where they are free to voice their opinions and they are still angry pro choicers.. i don’t get it?

  • pissed August 28, 2014 at 4:05 pm

    Everyone on here is a hypocrite. All I have seen and heard is lip service. You all have donated to support this great and wonderful family with multiple accounts while letting others in our great community with medical problems that truly need help sink…. go on go fund me and see for yourself how great we all are…. in my opinion the county attorney Should have excused himself…. receiving multiple letters from her family and friends.

  • pissed August 28, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    How or what would your reaction be if you saw her on a street, in a store?

  • Herd August 28, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    Do you think they should hurry to have another baby?

  • Simone August 28, 2014 at 6:31 pm

    I’m glad she isn’t being charged. Was what she did stupid? Yes. Careless? Absolutely. Criminal? Probably not. Like it or not, none of us is perfect, and I am willing to bet that all of us have had a slip of memory once or twice in our lives, though not as big as this, I will admit. April Suwyn left her 11 month old daughter in a hot car. April Suwyn will have to live with that for the rest of her natural life.Assuming that that this was a truly unintentional act, I think that is punishment enough. On the other hand, I did not and do not support the fundraiser that she got because it, in a sense, rewards her careless behavior. The fact is that April Suwyn left her baby in a hot car and that baby died. In my opinion she does not deserve a penny of that money and I hope she donates it to a charity or organization that raises awareness on these types of incidents( or any charity organization for that matter). Of course this Utah and she is Mormon so I doubt she will. Oh and before anyone starts:
    1.) I’m not Mormon(and never will be one)
    2.) I don’t know April Suwyn personally.
    3.) Suwyn’s if you ever read this I hope you donate every penny of that money. Doing so might prevent a 21st baby/car death. If you really care about other people, you will. 🙂

    • Rachel August 29, 2014 at 11:57 am

      I think you are confusing “criminal” with “intent.” It is against the law to kill someone. Anyone. Anyhow. The “intent” behind the killing is used to determine the charge. In an accident, clearly there was no intent to kill anyone, so the accused should get the lowest charge possible. But the law was still broken. At the very least, there should have been an involuntary manslaughter charge with a possible sentence of community service, a fine, a parenting class, a weekend in jail, something to satisfy the demands of justice. I do feel very badly for this mother and for her lapse in judgment and for the life (and the potential that life had) that was lost, but to ignore the law because it was an accident and the mother is suffering from the loss is a huge disservice to justice.

      • Simone August 29, 2014 at 10:33 pm

        In this case, i believe that justice has already been served. there was no intent and Im sorry to be so harsh but throwing April Suwyn away for what, in reality, amounts to a terrible mistake that she will have to live with for the rest of her life does nothing positive for any one involved. While this death is tragic, there was no intent by anyone to harm anything. It’s not like she shot the child in the head then buried her in the backyard. There was no intent. One life has already been lost, why should we destroy another? What good would that do? The answer in this case is “Nothing”.

  • Jaybird August 28, 2014 at 8:29 pm

    This decision is an abomination of justice. This woman obviously has psychological problems. I would watch her with the other two kids.

    • Sl August 31, 2014 at 10:52 pm

      Our course she has psychological issues.

  • me123 August 28, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    Ugh at least cite her…. in the state of Utah it is a class C misdemeanor to leave our child unattended in a vechicle

    • Sl August 31, 2014 at 10:50 pm

      Everything about this situation was overlooked

  • Redneck August 29, 2014 at 1:58 am

    This country’s sure got problems
    Corruption, crime, and drugs.
    And though we try to fix the world
    The world just hates our guts.
    But for all our woes and troubles
    I still love the US
    ‘Cause compared to the rest of the world
    America sucks less

    They call us all polluters
    With our Hummer SUV’s
    But in China you can taste the air
    And it taste like iPhone 3’s
    You may hate our politicians
    And protest what they say
    But think about how much it sucks
    To be Russian and gay

    Our congress can’t do anything
    Our senators are goons
    But at least they were elected
    And their name’s not Kim Jong–un
    Japan makes better cars than us
    Games and cartoon shows
    But I saw The Cove on Netflix huh
    And that was pretty …, bros

    America, I love you, out of necessity
    You’re not too hot and not too cold
    And mostly not diseased
    Compared to the alternative
    You’re probably the best
    ‘Cause the whole world sucks
    But America sure sucks less

    Our economy is tanking
    But we’re not as … Greece
    Our fast food is disgusting
    But Italians eat maggot cheese
    The NSA is spying on
    Our emails and phone calls
    But good luck finding WiFi
    In some village in Nepal

    Brazil is full of riots
    Australia’s full of snakes
    Mexico’s got cartels
    And their water makes you …for days
    Dubai is just Las Vegas
    Without alcohol or fun
    And Africa’s in a post-colonial tailspin
    Of genocide and oppression

    I am so sorry you for everything you guys have to deal with! Movin’ on.

    America, I love you
    Though you’re run by old white men
    Republicans are …
    But at least they’re not the French
    We’d probably get a solid B
    If they gave the world a test
    ‘Cause the whole world blows
    But America sure blows less

    America, I love you
    For your lack of murder squads (lack of murder squads)
    Your working indoor plumbing
    And your mostly valid laws (your mostly valid laws)
    In a world of mostly …
    America stinks the best
    Except for maybe Canada
    You guys have a pretty good thing going

    ‘Cause the whole world sucks
    But America sure sucks less

    Ed. ellipses.

  • BetterThanYou August 29, 2014 at 4:17 am

    I can’t wait for Jesus to come again and all you morons are destroyed so us perfect Mormons can live in peace. …, idiots!
    Ed. ellipsis.

    • Herd August 29, 2014 at 7:08 am

      Perfect Mormon…. that’s an oxymoron

  • tinker toys August 29, 2014 at 5:18 am

    Contact the County Attorneys office and let your opinion be known. 435 634 5723. Demand the truth as to why this dead baby got no justice.

    • Herd August 29, 2014 at 9:11 am

      Sure. That could be like complaining the Utah AG office about the polygamists when Shurtleff and Swallow were in office.

  • bobber August 29, 2014 at 11:41 am

    There’s a lot of bad eggs out there that are gonna look at this and think they can murder their own baby and walk away with over 16 LARGE. this sets a bad precedent.

  • Koolaid August 29, 2014 at 1:59 pm

    Get her tubes tied or his tubes snipped.

    • Codeman August 31, 2014 at 8:58 pm

      KOOLAID…Yep…THANK U!! Sh should her Vehicle and Look in her back seat remind herself who/”What” She Murdered and “Forgot”…

    • Codeman August 31, 2014 at 8:59 pm

      KOOLAID…Yep…THANK U!! She should her Vehicle and Look in her back seat remind herself who/”What” She Murdered and “Forgot”…

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