Niamh Shackleton
A man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after a disabled patient that was in his care died.
On Tuesday (August 20), 55-year-old Rogers Lee Inge Jr. was caring for Dontarious Batts, a young man who was described as autistic and non-verbal by his family.
Inge was an employee of Universal Health Care, but also worked as a janitor at Cleveland High School, North Carolina.
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It was while he was at his job at the school that Inge reportedly left Batts in his vehicle for over eight hours.
Inge says he didn't realize it was going to be a hot day so left Batts, said to be in his 20s, in his car with the windows up and the engine off.
He arrived at the school at 8am and allegedly checked on Batts a couple of hours later and he was fine. But when Inge returned to his car later that afternoon, the young man was dead.
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Inge proceeded to call 911 where he reported the death of a person who was in his vehicle.
Apparently the caregiver was 'emotionally distraught', WRAL reports.
Inge went on to say over the phone: "I didn’t think it was that hot today. I didn’t check on him. I forgot. I was working."
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Inge was urged to drive to a nearby fire station to receive assistance, where deputies met him and confirmed Batts' death.
Reportedly temperatures hit 80°F on Tuesday which can translate to almost 110°F while inside a car within 20 minutes of being in the vehicle.
It's believed Batts died as a result of being left in the hot car, but a medical examiner is yet to confirm this.
Inge has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and has since been released on $35,000 bond.
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UNILAD have approached Johnston County Sheriff's Office for comment.
Following Batts' sudden passing, his family have set up a GoFundMe page to 'help cover the unforeseen expenses'.
"We are heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of our little brother Donte," his sisters penned on the page.
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"Words can’t express the hurt I feel writing this because it all still feel 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 the hours of 8am until 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 honor his memory."
At the time of writing the fundraiser has almost reached its target of $5,000.