Felony Charges For Child Left In Car

(SIDNEY, Neb.) — A 27-year-old Sidney woman faces multiple charges, including felony child abuse and officer assault, following an August late-night incident involving an unattended infant at a local hotel and a subsequent struggle with law enforcement.

La’Naya J. Campos appeared in Cheyenne County District Court on Tuesday before Judge Derek C. Weimer for her arraignment, where she entered not guilty pleas to all charges:

• Count 1: Intentional Child Abuse (No Injury) — Class 3A Felony
• Count 2: Assault on an Officer / Healthcare Professional (3rd Degree) — Class 3A Felony
• Count 3: Resisting Arrest (1st Offense) — Class 1 Misdemeanor

The charges stem from an August 29 dispatch to the Sapp Bros. truck stop on Upland Parkway regarding reported suspicious activity. According to an arrest affidavit, responding officers made contact with a witness holding a 4-month-old infant outside the truck stop.

The witness told police she had been riding with Campos earlier in the night after drinking together. According to the statement, Campos drove to the nearby Quality Inn on East Jennifer Lane to meet an acquaintance, leaving the infant inside the vehicle. The witness reported hearing the baby crying in the backseat while Campos was inside the hotel, prompting her to retrieve the child from the vehicle and hold her outside until law enforcement arrived.

Law enforcement located Campos inside a Quality Inn room alongside another individual. Officers observed that Campos was heavily intoxicated, vomiting on the floor, and unable to maintain her balance or walk without assistance.

When questioned about her child’s location, Campos repeatedly insisted the infant was “with me,” despite the child being outside with the witness. Officers also noted fresh scrapes on her knees and feet consistent with a fall. After being escorted outside to the parking area, Campos declined to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, telling law enforcement, “You already know I am going to fail”.

The encounter escalated as Campos grew increasingly agitated and stepped out toward the street. When an officer attempted to guide her back toward the patrol unit, Campos allegedly swung her hand at him and then turned to swing at a responding deputy.

Deputies took Campos to the ground, where she allegedly continued to resist by kicking and trying to pin her arms beneath her body. After being handcuffed, Campos reportedly wrapped her legs around a deputy’s feet in an attempt to trip him, prompting law enforcement to apply a WRAP restraint system. While securing the restraint, Campos allegedly bit a deputy on the right arm, breaking the skin and leaving a visible mark.

During Tuesday’s court appearance, Judge Weimer declared Campos indigent and appointed attorney Stacy C. Bach to represent her alongside prosecutor Amber Horn for the State.

Defense counsel moved to continue the proceedings without objection from the prosecution. Reciprocal discovery was ordered, and bond remains under advisement.

A status hearing is scheduled for November 4, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Cheyenne County District Courtroom 1.