Son Killed in Hot Car murder investigation shifts to mother Leanna Harris

LEANNA Harris’ husband, prosecutors alleged this week, had two sides: Churchgoing family man and another, darker persona, one that compelled Ross Harris to knowingly leave their 22-month-old son to die, locked inside a sweltering SUV.

Based on her own, sometimes confounding words, along with evidence disclosed at her spouse’s explosive probable cause hearing last Thursday, many are wondering whether there’s another side to Leanna Harris.

The 30-year-old dietitian, who two years ago moved to Cobb County from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has not been charged with any crimes.

But police have disclosed that, like her husband, she had researched children dying in hot vehicles prior to her son Cooper’s death, telling officers it was her “worst fear.”

On average, 38 kids die a year after being trapped inside cars, according to KidsAndCars.org.

Investigators described her behaviour the day of her son Cooper’s death as odd, if not suspicious.

When informed by workers at her son’s daycare facility that Cooper had never been dropped off, she calmly responded, “Ross must have left him in the car. There’s no other explanation,” according to Cobb County Police Detective Phil Stoddard’s testimony Thursday.

Then, when reunited with her husband at Cobb police headquarters after he had been charged with murder, Leanna Harris asked him, “Did you say too much?” according to Stoddard.

“There isn’t enough to make her a co-conspirator yet,” said criminal defence lawyer Esther Panitch.

Whatever Leanna Harris’ role winds up being in this case — witness, defendant or supportive wife — prosecutors and the public are taking note of her public actions.

What they’ve seen so far is stoicism that seems at odds with what has become a public tragedy. She has expressed little emotion throughout.

At Thursday’s hearing, she started blankly ahead, chewing gum, as prosecutors delivered one bombshell after another.

Cass wrote:its bizarre to say the least. ive said all along that she had participated in this somehow indirectly.....

yes we all deal with grief in different ways but this?????? i still say why did she say what she did at the daycare place and why this deepest fear that tragically comes true????