A Sweetwater couple was charged Sunday morning with child abuse and neglect after they left their 8-month-old son in a cold car for more than three hours after a night of drinking, Sweetwater Police said.

According to a report filed by SPD Officer Jim Kile, police were called to the Morris Street home of David and Sharon Morgan on a child abuse complaint about 9 a.m.
Kile said he saw a small child sitting in a 2003 Jeep Liberty with the window down where he was sitting.

According to Kile, the child was cold to the touch and crying loudly.
Kile said it took several knocks for the child's parents, David and Sharon Morgan, to come to the door.

The officer said it appeared the two had just gotten up and both smelled strongly of alcohol.
Sharon Morgan told Kile the couple had gotten home about 6 a.m. after having been out drinking most of the night.
The child's mother admitted the child had been left in the vehicle since the time the couple had returned home.
Kile placed both parents under arrest for child abuse.

The child was transported by ambulance to Sweetwater Hospital for observation.
The Department of Children's Services was notified and after investigation, the child was released into the custody of its grandmother, Kile's report said.

tommy.millsaps@advocateanddemocrat.com | 337-7101