An 8-year-old girl was killed by a freight train in California after her mother made her crawl underneath the wheels, according to officials.
The girl — identified as Joy Anna Harris — was ordered to crawl under the train Monday in Fresno because her mother was concerned the family was going to miss their bus, the Fresno Bee reported.
The train had reportedly slowed and come to a stop in front of the family’s path around 6 p.m.
Witnesses told police the young girl was hesitant when the 44-year-old mom, Joy Frances Collins, forced her kids to crawl.
Joy Anna reportedly watched as her 9-year-old brother safely crossed to the other side, then followed him. As she tried to cross, the train lurched and the young girl became trapped, police said.
She was pulled about 500 feet and died under the wheels of traumatic injuries, news station WBAK reported.
The mom was arrested on charges including felony child neglect.