Caregiver charged after disabled patient dies in hot car
Disabled patient dies after caregiver leaves him in hot car
A man faces involuntary manslaughter charges after a disabled patient in his care passed away. Rogers Lee Inge Jr., 55, was looking after Dontarious Batts, a young man described by his family as autistic and non-verbal, on Tuesday, 20 August. Inge, an employee of Universal Health Care and a janitor at Cleveland High School in North Carolina, left Batts in his car for over eight hours while at work.
Inge claims he didn’t anticipate the hot weather and left Batts, believed to be in his 20s, inside the car with the windows up and the engine off. He arrived at the school at 8am, checked on Batts a few hours later, and found him fine. However, when he returned to the vehicle in the afternoon, Batts had died.
Inge called 911 to report the death of the individual in his car. According to WRAL, the caregiver was ’emotionally distraught’. Over the phone, Inge said, “I didn’t think it was that hot today. I didn’t check on him. I forgot. I was working.”
🚨😳 D!sabled man, Dontarious Batts, 22, d!es after being left in hot car by caretaker Rogers Lee Inge Jr who was working second job
A 22-year-old special-needs man died after he was left in a hot car for hours by his caretaker who snuck off to his seco… https://t.co/16QtGk2vC3 pic.twitter.com/30fRngdEeU
— Virals Plug🔌 (@updates_plug) August 22, 2024
He was instructed to drive to a nearby fire station, where deputies met him and confirmed Batts’ death. Temperatures reportedly reached 80°F on Tuesday, which can escalate to nearly 110°F inside a car within 20 minutes. It’s believed Batts died from being left in the hot car, though a medical examiner has yet to confirm this.
Inge, charged with involuntary manslaughter, has been released on a $35,000 bond. Following Batts’ sudden death, his family established a GoFundMe page to assist with unforeseen expenses.
“We are heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of our little brother Donte,” his sisters wrote on the page. “Words can’t express the hurt I feel writing this because it all still feels so unreal. On August 20, 2024, my brother Dontarius Batts (Donte), who was autistic and non-verbal, was left in a hot vehicle by his caregiver with the engine off and the windows up between 8am and a little after 4pm.
“During this incredibly difficult time, we are reaching out for support to help cover the unforeseen expenses that have arisen for my mother as she grieves. Any contribution, no matter the size, would be greatly appreciated as we navigate this devastating loss and honour his memory.” At the time of writing, the fundraiser is nearing its $5,000 target.
What Other Media Are Saying
- HuffPost reports on Rogers Lee Inge Jr.’s alleged leaving of a disabled man, Dontarious Batts, in a hot car outside a high school, resulting in Batts’ death.(read more)
- Lipstickalley Rogers Lee Inge Jr., a 55-year-old caregiver, was charged with involuntary manslaughter after leaving a 25-year-old man with special needs, Dontarious Batts, in a car for over six hours on a hot day, resulting in Batts’ death.(read more)
- The New York Post reports on the tragic death of a 22-year-old disabled man who died after being left in a hot car by his caregiver, highlighting the devastating consequences of neglect and the importance of ensuring proper care for vulnerable individuals.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to Dontarious Batts?
He died after being left in a hot car by his caregiver for over eight hours.
Who was charged with involuntary manslaughter?
Rogers Lee Inge Jr., the caregiver of Dontarious Batts.
What were the conditions inside the car?
Temperatures inside the car reached almost 110°F on a day where outside temperatures hit 80°F.
How did Inge respond after discovering Batts was dead?
Inge called 911 and was urged to drive to a nearby fire station for assistance.
What actions has Batts’ family taken since his passing?
They set up a GoFundMe page to help cover unforeseen expenses related to his death.
