The town of Clayton, North Carolina, was rocked by a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a vulnerable adult with special needs. The perpetrator, 55-year-old Roger Lee Inge Jr. from Warrenton, now faces involuntary manslaughter charges for leaving 22-year-old Dotarious Batts unattended inside a car for an entire day. Inge, who was Batts‘ caretaker, was also employed as a janitor at Cleveland High School, where the unfortunate incident took place.
According to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, Inge admitted to leaving Batts inside the car with the windows up and the engine off while he went about his work duties. Despite checking on Batts once in the morning and finding him seemingly fine, Inge did not return to the car until late afternoon, at which point Batts was discovered lifeless. Inge promptly called 911, but it was too late to save Batts.
The cause of Batts‘ death has not been officially determined, but the high temperature in Clayton that day was reported to be 81 degrees. The National Weather Service warns that temperatures inside cars parked in the sun can soar up to 50 degrees hotter than outside temperatures, posing a severe risk to anyone left inside. This serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of leaving individuals, especially those with special needs, unattended in vehicles.
Following the tragic incident, Inge was terminated from his employment at the school, and the community expressed shock and outrage at his neglectful actions. Residents of Clayton, like Robin Berner, voiced their disgust at Inge’s failure to fulfill his duty as a caretaker, emphasizing the importance of responsible and compassionate caregiving for vulnerable individuals. Questions were raised about why Batts was left in the car instead of being accommodated in a safer environment within the school premises.
First responders, including the Clayton Fire Chief, made efforts to revive Batts upon arrival, but their attempts were unsuccessful. Inge, who has since bonded out of jail, now faces the legal consequences of his actions, as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding Batts‘ tragic death.
The heartbreaking incident in Clayton serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of proper care and supervision for individuals with special needs. It underscores the need for vigilance and responsibility in caregiving roles, as neglect or oversight can have devastating consequences. As the community mourns the loss of Dotarious Batts, it also stands united in advocating for justice and accountability in cases of neglect and harm towards vulnerable individuals.