Woman charged after car sinks in Kansas river with 2 kids

LAWRENCE, Kan. – A Missouri woman has been charged with first-degree murder after a car plunged into the Kansas River and the body of her 5-year-old daughter was pulled from the water.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson on Monday charged 26-year-old Scharron Renea Dingledine, of Columbia, in the death of her daughter. Dingledine is also charged with attempted first-degree murder stemming from critical injuries to her 1-year-old son, who remains hospitalized.

Dingledine’s bond was set at $1 million.

Police say the children were in a vehicle that sank Friday afternoon in the river in downtown Lawrence. The toddler and the mother were rescued. The 5-year-old’s body was recovered from the river on Saturday.

Dingledine and her two children were the only people in the car. She is currently being held at the Douglas County Jail.