Columbia police officer charged with involuntary manslaughter in child’s death

Andria Heese, an officer for the Columbia Police Department, was charged with first-degree manslaughter in a child's death.

Heese hit and killed 4-year-old Gabriella Curry on Jan. 4 in her patrol vehicle. According to crash reports, the officer was trying to park on the sidewalk at Battle High School so she could watch students load onto school buses.

Authorities said the child was walking on the sidewalk when she was struck by the vehicle. Curry was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Per department protocol, Heese was put on administrative leave.

The investigation into the crash was handed to Camden County prosecutors, according to the state patrol.

"We've been working with the Highway Patrol," Camden County prosecutor Heather Miller told ABC 17 News on Monday. "We've been in contact with the family, working with them and making sure that all the ducks were in a row before we were comfortable filing the case."

As of 4 p.m. Monday, Heese had not yet been booked into Boone County Jail.

City spokesman Steve Sapp said he did not have any information to share on Monday afternoon. Chief Geoff Jones was aware of the situation, Sapp said.

Involuntary manslaughter carries a minimum sentence of three years in prison and a maximum of ten years. Heese could receive probation if found guilty of the crime.

The city of Columbia's insurer paid Curry's parents $3.4 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit in May. The family also received $125,000 from Columbia Public Schools to settle claims.

Don Weaver, an attorney representing Heese in the past, did not respond to a request for comment on Monday afternoon. ABC 17 News previously reported that Weaver urged Miller's office to employ video forensic experts to review the highway patrol's reports.