Logansport Police Officer Cody Scott and his wife, Kylie, are facing charges after pleading not guilty to child neglect.
An Indiana police officer is at the center of a disturbing child neglect case, accused of forcing his young daughter to stand outside in the snow while holding a humiliating sign.
Cody Scott, an officer from Logansport, and his wife, Kylie, were arrested after a 911 caller reported a child standing outside in freezing weather for an extended period on January 19.
Court documents state that the sign allegedly read: “I want to stab and kill my brother. I even take an antipsychotic. If you need to give pity, then give it to the victims.”
Reports indicate that the punishment was a result of the child misbehaving during church and Sunday school over a dispute related to makeup. Authorities claim the couple forced their daughter to endure 18-degree Fahrenheit conditions as discipline.
Both parents are now facing two felony child neglect charges each.
According to official records, Indiana State Police arrived at the scene, where Cody Scott and his supervisor from the Logansport Police Department were already present.
Cody Scott left his 6-year-old out in the coldLogansport Police Department
Authorities report that the girl, who has documented special needs, was made to stand outside in the cold for 30-minute intervals, with only brief 10-minute warm-up breaks indoors.
The affidavit further states that Mr. Scott and his wife had previously forced their daughter to hold various signs as punishment. One reportedly read: “I pee on everything and hide it like a cat.”
Another sign she was allegedly made to carry while walking through Walmart read: “I lie to hurt people.”
During the snow incident, a concerned passerby reportedly confronted Mr. Scott. He allegedly replied: “Well, sir, aside from me cruelly beating her physically, I haven’t found any other punishment that works.”
“She’s threatened to harm my family, she aims to humiliate us, she talks about urinating on herself and destroying things in the house. I’ve involved a DCS caseworker, she’s been in therapy for three years, and she’s part of the wrap-around program at school. Every 30 minutes, she goes inside to warm up—she’s dressed in layers to stay warm—and then she comes back out.”
Court documents reveal that the parents have documented their child’s history of behavioral issues, citing examples of her “acting out” or engaging in what they referred to as “attention-seeking behavior.”
The little girl was left to stand in the coldFOX59/CBS4 viewer
The Indiana State Police investigator who compiled the affidavit described the punishment as “excessive compared to the child’s behavior and unnecessarily degrading.”
At present, Cody Scott has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. Both he and his wife voluntarily surrendered to Cass County Jail before being released on bond.
Kylie Scott is scheduled to appear in court on May 22, while Cody Scott’s hearing is set for May 8, ahead of their trial in September. Both parents have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
