A South Carolina father is accused of leaving his 1-year old daughter Xena Rah’Lah Norman in a burning car after he ran from the vehicle at the end of a high speed chase.

Imhotep Osiris Norman, 26, of Spartanburg, has been charged with homicide by child abuse, court records show.

WTKR reports:

Authorities say the police chase began around 10:20 p.m. when a trooper with the South Carolina Highway Patrol pulled over a car going nearly 70 mph in a 45-mph zone, according to the Spartanburg Herald-Journal.

Norman allegedly refused to stop, leading troopers on a chase down Interstate 85. Highway Patrol Capt. Kelley Hughes said troopers saw a “large bag” containing drugs fly out of the window just minutes before the car began to spark, then burst into flames, the paper reports.

Norman allegedly jumped from the burning car and ran. After extinguishing the blaze, troopers found the body of 1-year-old Xena Rah’Lah Norman in the back seat of the vehicle, according to WYFF.

There was a very emotional court hearing on Saturday and Norman tearfully explained to the judge that he didn’t know the car was on fire.

This is so heartbreaking! Norman seems very sincere and distraught of how this tragedy played out. What do y’all think? We’re not here to judge, but if you were the judge in this case, would you be lenient on the young father or throw the book at him for putting his baby girl in danger in the first place. Our hearts go out to this family who has lost this precious angel. Rest in peace baby girl.