Child ejected from van on 491
Report says 2-year-old girl escaped from retraints; grandmother cited

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

TOHATCHI — A 2-year-old girl was ejected from a moving van traveling on State Highway 491 last Wednesday.

The incident took place just north of Tohatchi near Mile Post 29. The child was identified as Shannan Crawford.

The report made by the Navajo Division of Public Safety stated that the child was picked up by her grandmother, Jean Crawford, at Little Angel Day Care Center. Crawford placed the girl in a restraint chair and left the care center.

According to the report, Shannan got loose from the child restraint and grabbed the rear right door handle, slightly opening the door. Crawford said she saw the child opening the door and grabbed for the her arm while still driving with her other hand, causing the vehicle to abruptly swerve, and ejecting the child from the vehicle.

Motorists traveling behind the vehicle reported having to swerve to avoid hitting the girl.

The Tohatchi EMS responded to the call around 4:50 p.m. and the child was transported to Gallup Indian Medical Center. There was no immediate report on the severity of the child's injuries.

Crawford was cited and charged with endangering the welfare of a minor.

"This is the first time I've heard of such an incident in the years that I have been here," Capt. Steven Nelson with the Crownpoint Police Department.

In an effort to increase seatbelt usage on the reservation, the Navajo Nation will be having Operation Don't Shatter the Dream during Memorial Day weekend, which is checkpoint that enforces such things as seatbelt usage and proper child restraints.