EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) — A woman is facing serious charges, including neglect of a dependent, after allegedly stealing a vehicle with a six-year-old child inside, according to the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies located the stolen vehicle just before midnight Monday near Fuquay and Walnut Road and conducted a felony stop. Inside the vehicle were three adults and the child, who was unharmed.
The driver was identified as Ghea Sheets, who claimed a friend told her the vehicle belonged to the friend’s grandmother and gave her permission to drive it.
However, the actual owner, Karen Sallee, told deputies no one had permission to take the vehicle. She said her friend asked if Sheets could borrow the car, and she declined. Sallee recounted that after running errands with Sheets and her friend, Sheets drove off alone with the vehicle once Sallee got out.
Deputies say Sheets knowingly endangered the child by driving the car after being told it would be reported stolen.
Ghea Sheets was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail and is charged with auto theft and neglect of a dependent.
