Former Missouri Police Officer Pleads Guilty In the Death of a 4-Year-Old Girl

After being charged with involuntary manslaughter of 4-year-old Gabriella Curry in 2019, Andria Heese has pleaded guilty and has been given a reduced charge.

A Columbian Police officer identified as Andria Heese, charged in the 2019 murder of a 4-year-old girl with manslaughter, pleaded guilty.

The 29-year-old has gotten a reduced charge of careless and imprudent driving. Heese killed Gabriella Curry at Battle High School on January 4, 2019.

As reported by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the police officer was trying to park her car on the school's sidewalk when she hit the little girl. Curry was rushed to the University Hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

According to testimony in the case, Curry's mother was a bus driver for the Student Transportation of America. She decided to take her daughter along while completing her afternoon route.

The deceased was walking on the sidewalk as the buses lined up to pick the students. Then, the policewoman assigned to traffic detail at the school drove onto the sidewalk to watch the kids boarding the bus.

The Columbia Public Schools consented to pay the family a settlement of $125,000.

Unaware of the 4-year-old, Heese had already hit her with a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe. Lifesaving efforts were carried out on the little girl before the arrival of paramedics. However, they were futile after Curry was confirmed dead at about 4:30 PM.

Prosecutors requested nothing more than two years probation and 180 days in the Boone County Jail. After one year, Heese will be released from probation by the state if all the conditions are met.

The court testimony revealed that the parents of the deceased did not oppose the plea deal. Meanwhile, the date for the sentencing has been scheduled for July 9, 2021.

According to reports, the police officer was placed on administrative leave when the unfortunate murder happened. However, in May 2019, a wrongful death lawsuit was settled between the City of Columbia and Curry's parents.

Aaron and Cheyenne Curry received $3.4 million. In addition, the Columbia Public Schools consented to pay the family a settlement of $125,000. It was revealed that the July 9 sentencing, which will take place at the Boone County Courthouse, will include an in-person disposition hearing.

According to Heese's defense attorney, Donald Weaver, the parents of the deceased plan to attend the sentencing. In light of this, parents are advised to keep a close eye on their little children to prevent further occurrences of this sort.