Logan Chewning Arrested in Tuscaloosa County After Infant Found Dead Inside Vehicle in Brookwood, Alabama

 Authorities in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, continue investigating the heartbreaking death of a 13-month-old child who was found unresponsive inside a hot vehicle, leading to manslaughter charges against the boy’s father.

Investigators identified the father as 30-year-old Logan Keith Chewning of Brookwood. According to the Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit, emergency responders were called around 5 p.m. on May 20, 2026, to a home in the 11000 block of Stone Ridge Court after family members discovered the infant inside a vehicle parked outside the residence.

Officials said the child was found still secured in a car seat and had reportedly been inside the vehicle for an extended period during dangerously high afternoon temperatures. Despite efforts by first responders, the child was pronounced dead at the scene. Multiple agencies responded, including the Brookwood Police Department, Brookwood Fire Department, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy paramedics, and Northstar Ambulance.

Authorities stated that Chewning had been the sole caregiver for the child throughout the day. During interviews with investigators, he allegedly admitted to drinking alcohol at different times and told authorities he had left the home at one point to purchase additional alcohol. Investigators said he claimed he believed the child was sleeping inside the residence rather than still inside the vehicle.

According to investigators, temperatures in the Tuscaloosa area climbed into the low-to-mid 90s that afternoon, conditions that can rapidly create deadly heat levels inside a closed vehicle. Officials stressed that even a short amount of time in extreme heat can become fatal for young children, whose bodies are more vulnerable to temperature changes.

Captain Jack Kennedy of the Violent Crimes Unit said evidence gathered during the investigation indicated the infant remained inside the vehicle for a prolonged period. Authorities have not publicly released the child’s name, and officials said additional details surrounding the timeline remain under review as investigators continue gathering information.

Following consultation with the Tuscaloosa County District Attorney’s Office, Chewning was charged with manslaughter and booked into jail without bond under Alabama’s Aniah’s Law. Court records show the charge reflects allegations connected to reckless conduct resulting in the child’s death, though prosecutors have not yet announced whether additional charges could follow.

The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to determine the official cause of death through a full examination. Meanwhile, the tragic case has sparked renewed conversations across Alabama about vehicle heat safety and the importance of checking back seats before leaving a vehicle. Authorities say the investigation remains active as detectives continue reviewing evidence and witness statements connected to the incident.