MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (AP) -- A woman accused of leaving her 22-month-old grandson to die inside a burning vehicle was charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
Police said 41-year-old Pamela Dreadin was driving in a rural area around 3 a.m. Sunday when her Ford Bronco ran off the road and a fire started in the engine compartment.
Dreadin went to a house nearby to call for help but did not mention that her grandson, Michael Malinowski, was in the car until 10 minutes later, when a police officer arrived, authorities said.
By the time rescue crews arrived, the fire had engulfed the vehicle, killing the child.
Dreadin turned herself in on Monday and was released on her own recognizance.
Dreadin's lawyer, William Menges, did not immediately return a call for comment.
Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi said he would ask a grand jury to consider the more serious charge of reckless manslaughter. Child endangerment and reckless manslaughter both carry up to 10 years in prison, but a longer term is more likely for reckless manslaughter.
