On Wednesday, August 14 at approximately 8:08 p.m., Chadron Police Department Officers responded to 634 Main Street following a 911 call regarding a 2-year-old child not waking up and struggling to breath. The child was found to be conscious with labored breathing upon arrival and transported to the Chadron Community Hospital for treatment.
An investigation followed and found that the child had their neck rolled up in the rear passenger side window of a passenger car, causing the child to lose consciousness and struggle to breath, following a trip to a local restaurant.
On Thursday, adult and juvenile witnesses were interviewed regarding the incident. In addition, a search warrant was obtained for a Chadron residence. During the search warrant, a video camera and the vehicle involved in the incident were seized as evidence.
As a result of the investigation, three juveniles were removed from the home and the mother of the children, 38-year-old Florine Black Eyes was arrested without incident. Black Eyes is being held at the Dawes County Jail on the requested charge of Child Abuse, a class IIIA Felony. Bond has been set at 10% of $75,000.
The Chadron Police Department was assisted by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services with this investigation. The investigation is ongoing.