Children Drowned In a Locked Car that Drifted Into A Mississippi Creek

We’re sad to report heartbreaking news coming out of Leland, Mississippi. Two children died after being locked in a car that rolled into a creek. According to Leland police, 25-year old mother Jenea Monique Payne said she left her three small children inside the car alone for a brief moment to go inside the Stop-n-Go, but when she returned the vehicle was gone.

Reported by WNCT-9:

Police responded to the scene at the 100 block of N. Main Street, around 5:45 p.m., when they found the white Nissan Pathfinder floating nearby in Deer Creek with three little children trapped inside.

Leland Fire Chief Bobby Johnson, along with first responders Sarah Hester, Jacob Humphrey, C J Hollins, Seth Humphrey and Austin Macklemore jumped into the creek and attempted to bust the windows out of the vehicle, according to police.

“As the vehicle floated down the creek, these individuals ended up only being able to rescue one of the three kids before having to swim to safety,” a press release says, from Leland Police.

Only little Raelynn was taken out of the vehicle, safely.

“The vehicle then drifted further down and into the creek,” the press release added.

“Leland Volunteer Firefighters probed the creek attempting to find the vehicle when a rescue dive team arrived and entered the water.”

The Pathfinder was finally again located in the creek, around 8:00 p.m.

Authorities say it was pulled from the water by Venutti Towing, with the two little boys, Steve and Rasheed still inside.

Payne’s 4 and 1-year-old sons were pronounced dead at the scene, at 8:37 p.m., by Washington County Coroner Melton Johnson.

According to WJTV, investigators obtained the surveillance video from the store the mother went into and are reviewing the footage as part of the investigation. It wasn’t clear if she will face charges.

Rest in heaven little angels.