Officer Won't Serve Jail Time After Killing 4-Year-Old Girl on Sidewalk With Patrol Car

A police officer in Columbia, Mo. will not serve jail time after fatally hitting a 4-year-old girl on the sidewalk with her police patrol vehicle.

Andria Heese, an officer with the Columbia Police Department, was sentenced to two years of supervised probation by a Boone County Courthouse judge on Thursday.

According to KMIZ News, a June 30 sentencing memo said that Heese's chances of committing another crime in the future are low. The memo did not recommend a sentence for Heese, KMIZ reported.

In January 2019, Heese fatally struck 4-year-old Gabriella Curry near the Battle High School, located at 7575 E. St. Charles Road in Columbia.

According to a 2019 press release from the Columbia Police Department, Heese was driving a "market patrol vehicle," when she hit Curry as she drove on the sidewalk during the school's dismissal.

"The officer, another CPD officer at the school and other school personnel began providing immediate medical care to the child. The officer requested further medical aid via radio. Columbia Fire and University Ambulance EMS arrived and provided advanced life support. The child was transported to the University Hospital Level One Trauma with CPD escort," the Columbia Police Department said in 2019. "Despite life-saving attempts by emergency personnel both on the scene and at the hospital, the child passed away due to injuries sustained during the incident."

"I would ask everyone to please pray for the family and pray for the officer that was involved in this incident," Columbia Acting Police Chief Jill Schlude said at the time.

Heese was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter in Curry's death to which she pleaded not guilty. However, last month, Kevin Hillman, the special prosecutor on the case, reduced the charges to careless and imprudent driving. Heese pleaded guilty to the reduced charges.

While testifying at her sentencing on Thursday, Heese said, "I would like to say I'm very sorry."

"My heart is broken for Gabby and for her parents. I wish this never happened and if there's anything I can do to go back and do it over I would," she continued. "I am devastated by this and I know that you all are devastated too."

According to KMIZ News, in May 2020, the Columbia Police Department reached a $3.4 million settlement with Curry's family in a wrongful death lawsuit.

The Columbia Police Department said in 2019 that Heese was placed on administrative leave after the incident. KOMU-TV in Columbia reported that Heese is still employed by the Columbia Police Department but it is unclear if she has remained on administrative leave.

Newsweek reached out to the Columbia Police Department for further comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.