LINDON, UTAH — A Utah truck driver locked his two young sisters inside a 30-degree refrigerated trailer for over three hours. He then caused a five-vehicle crash on Interstate 15. He walked away with two years of probation.
The Sentence
On March 11, 4th District Judge Thomas Low sentenced Jacob Ortell Scott, 28, of Huntington. Scott pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated child abuse — a Class A misdemeanor. A plea deal knocked the charges down from the original first-degree felonies. Judge Low handed down one year in jail for each count, then suspended both terms. Scott received two years of probation instead. He must also complete a parenting class and participate in family counseling.
How the Sisters Were Discovered
The case broke open on September 17. Scott’s tractor-trailer rear-ended a stopped vehicle on I-15 in Lindon, triggering a five-vehicle crash. Two people went to the hospital — one in serious condition, one in critical. About an hour into the crash investigation, a Utah Highway Patrol trooper opened the trailer doors. Two sets of eyes stared back at him.
The trooper walked back to Scott. He asked, “Who is in your trailer?” Charging documents say Scott appeared shocked. He glanced at his passenger, then admitted there were kids inside. The girls — Scott’s sisters, ages 12 and 14 — had no way to exit from inside. They had been riding in the frozen compartment for more than three hours. They were on their way from a milk farm in Huntington to Salt Lake City to take school tests.
The Conditions Inside the Trailer
Scott had set the thermostat to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. At one point, the thermometer dipped to 29.5 degrees. By the time officers found the sisters, it had climbed back to 50 degrees. Troopers also spotted bedding inside the trailer. The girls were uninjured. They went home with other family members.
The girls told investigators Scott had transported them the same way before. Scott claimed the cab didn’t have enough seats. Officers took him to a local hospital after he reported a possible broken hand. They then booked him into Utah County Jail. He later pleaded guilty under the reduced plea agreement.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.
Leave a Reply