Man who left kids in creek sentenced to prison

MUNCIE – A Muncie man who left two children in a partially submerged car he had crashed into a creek was sentenced Monday to four years in prison.

Brent Allen South, 27, had pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury and driving with a controlled substance in system.

Authorities said South last July 30 stole a car parked in the 2300 block of Yale Avenue, then drove the vehicle down a bank into Muncie Creek, where it came to rest on its roof.

He then fled on foot, leaving two back-seat passengers – a 13-year-old girl and an 11-month-old infant – in the car. A bystander entered the creek and helped the children to safety.

In court Monday, Delaware Circuit Court 1 Judge Marianne Vorhees accepted the terms of a plea agreement that saw three other charges – auto theft, residential entry and a second neglect count – dismissed.

The judge told South he was “fortunate” that the mothers of the juvenile victims – both friends of the defendant, she said – had recommended he “should receive drug treatment.”

Vorhees said she would recommend South – who said he most frequently abused cocaine, marijuana and Xanax – take part in an extensive treatment program for substance abusers while incarcerated. If he completes the program, the judge will consider modifying his sentence, although Deputy Prosecutor Steve Sneed reserved the right to object to that.

The victims’ mothers believe South’s actions in July were the result of his drug abuse, and that he did not intend to harm their children, the judge said.

South said little during Monday’s hearing. His public defender, Mike Quirk, said his client does not plan to appeal his sentence.

Another Circuit Court 1 case – in which South was charged with three drug-related crimes and false informing – was dismissed.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.