08/22/2026
A 10-month-old Kentucky baby girl died after police say she was accidentally left inside a hot car for about eight hours by her grandmother Dr. Stacey Fazenbaker (61), a family medicine physician.
Scottie Gwyn Crowell was picked up by her grandmother on the morning of August 13. Fazenbaker was meant to drop Scottie at daycare before going to work at Owensboro Health Multicare in Madisonville.
Instead, police say she drove straight to the medical clinic, apparently forgetting the baby was still strapped into the backseat.
Scottie remained inside the vehicle from around 8 a.m. until about 4 p.m. Outdoor temperatures reached 95°F (35°C), while the temperature inside the car reportedly climbed as high as 115°F (46°C).
Scottie’s father went to daycare later that day to pick her up and learned she had never been dropped off. The family contacted Fazenbaker, who rushed outside with co-workers and found Scottie still inside the car.
“She ran outside with some co-workers to get the child, but it was far too late by then,” Madisonville Police Major Jason McKnight said.
Police and emergency responders attempted lifesaving measures, but Scottie could not be saved.
“The grandmother had already got the child, and so the officers tried some lifesaving measures, but unfortunately it was too late for that,” McKnight said.
Fazenbaker underwent routine drug and alcohol testing, although police said they do not expect the results to indicate intoxication. No charges have been filed at this stage.
“As the picture becomes clearer on how this could have possibly happened, there is a possibility charges are sought before the grand jury convenes,” McKnight said.
An autopsy has been completed, with the official cause of death still pending. Police and Kentucky Child Protective Services are investigating.
