A Lincoln Police Department captain and her partner are now facing misdemeanor child abuse charges after authorities say they left a 2-year-old child alone inside a locked van while fishing at Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County, Nebraska.
Capt. Mayde McGuire, 54, and Mary Tobiassen, 49, were initially cited after deputies responded to the lake on Aug. 23. The case has since moved forward, with both women formally charged with one count of misdemeanor child abuse. They are scheduled to appear in Lancaster County court on Sept. 30.
The incident began shortly after 4 p.m., when witnesses at Pawnee Lake heard a young child crying and screaming from inside a van. One witness, Izabella Glover, later told local television station KOLN that the child appeared to be in distress and seemed to be looking for her parents.
According to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, the child had been left inside the vehicle for at least 28 minutes. The van was not running and its windows were closed. The outdoor temperature was about 78 degrees at the time.
Witnesses called 911 after realizing the toddler was alone. Before deputies arrived, McGuire removed the child from the van.
The sheriff’s investigation found that McGuire and Tobiassen had been fishing at the lake while the toddler remained inside the vehicle. Authorities said the child was not injured.
Investigators also administered a preliminary breath test to McGuire during the investigation. The test showed a blood-alcohol reading of 0.108, according to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.
The charges now formally place both women in the criminal court process. Under the filed misdemeanor charges, each could face up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted.
McGuire’s position with the Lincoln Police Department has also drawn attention to the case. She has served with the department since 1998 and became a captain in 2011. Department records show she has worked in leadership roles including the Education and Personnel Unit.
Following the August incident, Lincoln Police said McGuire was placed on investigative suspension while an internal review was conducted.
The case also prompted a warning from Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner about the risks of leaving children inside vehicles. Even when temperatures outside appear relatively moderate, the inside of a closed vehicle can become dangerously hot in a short period.
The formal charges represent the latest development in the case. McGuire and Tobiassen are scheduled for arraignment at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Lancaster County court.
