Edina Woman Allegedly Made Nephew Ride in Trunk of Lexus

An Edina woman allegedly worried about her nephew getting the leather seats of her Lexus wet is being charged with gross-misdemeanor child endangerment for making the 11-year-old ride home from Valleyfair in the trunk of the vehicle.

Susan McCarty, 38, was stopped by Edina Police after dropping her nephew off in Wayzata on Thursday, Aug. 23. Officers report McCarty was agitated and argumentative, but said she did admit to transporting the minor in the trunk of her 2008 Lexus sedan "because he was soaking went and she did not want her leather seats to get wet."

A gross-misdemeanor child endangerment charge was filed against McCarty last week in Scott County District Court. If convicted, she could face a fine of up to $3,000 and a prison sentence of up to one year.

The 11-year-old was seen climbing into the trunk of the four-door car by witnesses at Valleyfair, who reportedly called police to report the incident.

The vehicle's back seat center console was allegedly folded down to allow air to circulate back to the trunk, according to the criminal complaint. When that didn't appear to be working and the boy complained about getting warm, his relatives reportedly aimed the car's air vents at the hole in the seat.

When police officers spoke with the boy, he reportedly said he would have preferred to ride in the vehicle, but didn't want to question his aunt.

His 14-year-old sister, who was also in the car, told officers McCarty had warned the boy he would have to ride in the trunk if he continued to go on water slides at Valleyfair. The girl claimed he seemed excited about the prospect at the time.

The boy's grandmother and another child were also in the vehicle at the time of the incident, according to the complaint.

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