Child Killed By Train: Babysitter Charged With Neglect

ZEPHYRHILLS, FL — A 26-year-old Zephyrhills woman has been charged in connection with the death of a toddler in December. The woman faces neglect charges after the 2-year-old boy she was watching was struck and killed by a train on Dec. 12.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office charged Heather Jean Henderson with aggravated child neglect with great bodily harm on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Henderson, who was also struck by the train, was watching Hunter Fink and his 4-year-old sister when the crash occurred.

Henderson “knowingly and willfully brought the 2-year-old child onto the railroad tracks, which (were) clearly marked with no trespassing signs,” the arrest report said. Deputies say Henderson and the child walked out onto a 200-foot-long trestle and were caught in the middle of it as a train approached.

“As a result of her culpable negligence, she and the child were struck by the train,” the report said. “The child sustained fatal injuries to his head and body.”

Prior to her arrest, deputies say Henderson admitted she knew she should not be on the tracks with the child, the report noted.

The incident occurred on train tracks near Pattie Road and Paul S. Buchman Highway in Zephyrhills just before noon on Dec. 12. Back in December, the sheriff’s office said another adult, Cody Williams, was with Henderson and the two children at the time.

"When they realized a train was coming, Williams grabbed the 4-year-old girl and jumped off the bridge to safety (about an 8-foot jump)," a December email from the sheriff's office said. "Heather Henderson was holding Hunter but was unable to jump out of the way in time. They were both hit by the train."

No charges against Williams have been announced.

No further information is being released at this time.

Photo courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office