| Updated: 8/07/2009 6:59 pm |
Published: 8/06/2009 4:50 pm |
The mother of three children who died after she drove her car into a Conway County lake is now facing three counts of felony endangerment of a child.
Amber Turley was arrested Friday morning. Originally authorities called it an accident but they say other factors like alcohol may have played a role. Turley's father says prosecutors are just shifting the blame.
A makeshift memorial still stands at Brewer Lake where the boys drowned. Conway Corporation put up signs and railings to keep others from driving into the lake like Amber Turley did.
Everyone thought this was an accident; they didn't expect Turley would end up facing charges,
“I absolutely think it’s outrageous! My daughter has already lost her three kids and their basically accusing her of killing her kids,” Amber’s father, Larry Hopkins said.
Conway County deputies arrested Turley Friday morning. She is charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a minor. Turley's three sons Alex, Aaron and Anthony drowned when she drove her car into Brewer Lake a dark and rainy night in April.
“It was a miracle that she got them un-strapped and got them out of the car. It’s a wonder she didn’t die too,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins says his daughter is not to blame, he places blame on Conway Corporation, the agency that looks after the lake. Because it was only after he lost his grandchildren that they put up railings to keep people from driving into the lake. The Conway County prosecuting attorney, Tom Tatum believes Turley's own actions led to what happened.
“There were several factors involved in the charge. Certainly one of those was the use of alcohol and how it affected the accident,” Tatum said.
LaTresha:” Did your daughter say she had been drinking that night?” Hopkins said: “She had drank earlier that night but the accident happened way way later.”
Tatum admits this isn't an easy case, three little boys are dead, but he has to follow the law.
Hopkins says his daughter loved and protected her boys. This is only adding to the pain of a grieving mother.
“She is a basket case. She is just a nervous wreck. And that not just now it’s been that way,” Hopkins tells us.
Hopkins alluded to the fact that his daughter contacted an attorney about filing a lawsuit against Conway Corporation over the incident and believes these charges are to divert attention away from that.
He says he plans to help his daughter fight this.
Each count is a felony punishable by 0 to 6 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. That's per count. Turley is out on bond, arraignment is set for September 8th.
