Upstate woman accused of leaving children in freezing car

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC (WYFF) - A 25-year-old Upstate woman is accused of attacking her husband while he was driving, and then taking their car and abandoning it with two children inside in the frigid cold, according to the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said 53-year-old Edward Cannon called 911 at about 3 p.m. Monday.  Cannon said he was driving on Highway 26 with his wife, Krystal, and his 3-year-old daughter and mentally handicapped nephew.  Cannon said his wife began to attack him, and he pulled over because he was unable to drive because she was assaulting him.  He said his wife then scratched his face and pulled his hair, so he got out of the car, and when he did, she drove away with the children.

A deputy found Edward Cannon walking along the interstate and picked him up.  The deputy said Cannon explained that his wife attacked him because he refused to give her money to buy meth.  He said his wife had "fried her brain on meth and has gone insane."  Deputies transported Edward Cannon, who they said had visible scratches on his face, to his brother's house.

Deputies said they spotted Cannon's car parked in the eastbound side of the interstate with the children inside.  Deputies said at the time it was 20 degrees with 24 mph wind.  Edward Cannon was called and made arrangements for his sister-in-law to pick up the children, deputies said.

Deputies said the car was out of gas and Krystal Cannon had taken the keys. Deputies said they were near the car for more than an hour, and she never returned to check on the children.

Deputies got a warrant for her arrest on a charge of criminal domestic violence, second offense because she had a previous conviction within the last 10 years.  She was also charged with neglect of a child.

Cannon was arrested and was being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

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