A Kentucky woman was arrested last week after allegedly abandoning a 91-year-old man inside his disabled vehicle on a sweltering day with temperatures reaching 101 degrees, authorities said.
Background
Nikki Reed Hoskins, 37, is accused of leaving the elderly victim stranded on a roadway in Laurel County after an argument over cigarettes, according to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. The incident occurred as extreme heat gripped the region, with investigators noting that a passerby ultimately had to call 911 to report the stranded man still inside his disabled vehicle.
The Charges
Hoskins was taken into custody and charged with one count each of first-degree wanton endangerment, theft by unlawful taking, third-degree assault on a police officer, and menacing. Investigators allege she removed the keys from the ignition after the elderly victim refused to purchase cigarettes for her during the excessively hot day, leaving him unable to drive away. When deputies responded to the 911 call, they found the 91-year-old still inside the vehicle with no means of escape.
Authorities went to Hoskins' residence on Littontown Road and determined she was inside, but she refused repeated commands to come outside. After confirming the home belonged to her and learning she had outstanding warrants, deputies made multiple unsuccessful attempts to persuade her to surrender before entering the residence. They found Hoskins allegedly hiding in the bedroom.
During the arrest process, authorities allege Hoskins struck Deputy Cyruss McVey. Deputies observed that she was unsteady on her feet, had slurred speech and glassy, bloodshot eyes, and appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance, according to the sheriff's office.
Hoskins also was served with two outstanding Laurel District Court bench warrants for allegedly failing to appear in court on separate cases involving child support and charges of public intoxication and contempt of court. She was booked into the Laurel County Correctional Center, where she was being held on a $10,000 cash-only bond in connection with the new charges.
Key Takeaways
- The victim told deputies Hoskins walked away toward her nearby home after he refused to buy her cigarettes in 101-degree heat
- Hoskins allegedly removed the keys from the ignition, leaving the elderly man stranded with no way to escape the extreme temperatures
- She faces charges of first-degree wanton endangerment and theft by unlawful taking in addition to assaulting a police officer
- Hoskins had two outstanding bench warrants for failing to appear in court on child support and public intoxication cases
What's Next
Hoskins is currently being held at the Laurel County Correctional Center on $10,000 cash-only bond. The case remains under investigation by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office.
The Law&Crime Docket first reported this story.