CORYELL COUNTY, Texas — A Coryell County father is speaking out after an urgent trip to the hospital for his 15-month-old daughter was interrupted by a speeding stop.
Anthony Warren's daughter, who was born prematurely with chronic lung disease and a weakened immune system, was experiencing respiratory distress when her parents decided to rush her to a hospital in Temple early Tuesday morning.
While he was driving on Highway 36 near Fort Cavazos a little before 4 a.m., Warren saw flashing lights in his rearview mirror.
According to Warren, his initial reaction to seeing the lights was relief. He hoped the deputy might provide an escort to ensure his daughter received timely medical care, he said. However, relief quickly turned to disbelief, he said.
Despite telling the deputy his situation and why he was reportedly going 36 miles over the posted speed limit, he said the deputy appeared more focused on the speeding violation than his daughter's medical emergency.
“He didn’t seem concerned with my child or the emergency at hand,” he explained. “He told me I was putting my child in danger, yet he offered no help. We wasted 30 minutes on the roadside waiting for EMS, which never arrived.”
Warren eventually resumed his drive and reached the hospital, where the child was admitted immediately, placed on oxygen and treated for her severe condition, he said.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Warren emphasized the urgency of his daughter’s condition.
“This isn’t new to us," he shared. "She goes downhill medically very fast, and time is critical. I know what’s best for her, and sitting in a waiting room [in Gatesville] or relying on an ambulance wasn’t an option.”
The father expressed disappointment in the deputy’s actions but maintained respect for law enforcement as a whole.
“This one interaction won’t change my opinion of all officers," he said. "Most are good men and women, but this incident highlights the need for better training in handling emergencies.”
Since sharing his story and video footage of the encounter on his Facebook page, the family has received an outpouring of support from the local community.
The Coryell County Sheriff’s Office also released a statement on their Facebook page Tuesday, noting that while they are investigating the incident, they cannot comment on the situation because charges are pending. They confirmed that charge is a speeding ticket.
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Overall, Warren hopes the incident will lead to constructive changes.
“At the very least, I want the officer to receive training so no one else has to go through this," he said.
Warren said the family is still at the hospital and remains focused on their daughter’s recovery, expressing gratitude for the medical team and the community’s encouragement.
“Our baby is doing well now, and we’re thankful to have such incredible support," he said.
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Update: The sheriff's office has reportedly dismissed the citation against Warren.