How Could You? Hall of Shame-Nicole McClatchey

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Morristown, Indiana, foster mother, Nicole McClatchey, 38, ” is out on bond after she allegedly left her foster child inside a hot car for more than 30 minutes while she was eating out at a restaurant.

According to court documents, 38-year-old Nicole McClatchey was charged in Shelby County with one count of neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony.

On July 2, deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a restaurant in Morristown on a report of a 1-year-old child being left in a vehicle. At the time, law enforcement stated that the outside temperature was around 90 degrees.

The report initially stated that the child was left in the vehicle for around 30-45 minutes without the vehicle being on. Dispatch advised that the child was breathing and “appeared to be acting normal.”

According to court documents, the child’s foster parent, later identified as McClatchey, told officials that the child had been in the vehicle from 30 minutes to an hour.

In an interview with McClatchey, she reportedly told law enforcement that she had been stressed lately and that she went out to eat. On the way to the restaurant, the court documents stated that McClatchey said she got into an argument with her son and went into the restaurant without her foster child.

McClatchey reportedly stated during the interview that she had been the foster parent of the child for around two weeks and had previously fostered 19 children. The child was found to be in stable condition and the child was removed from McClatchey’s care.

According to court documents, McClatchey is out on a $750 cash bond as of Tuesday. McClatchey’s initial hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Shelby County.”

Docs: Foster parent left child in hot car for 30+ minutes while out to eat in Morristown
[FOX 59 7/8/26 by David Gay]

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