Mother Speaks Out After Her Son, 5, Was Allegedly Run Over by His Drunk Grandmother While Waiting for School Bus By Angel Saunders

The mother of a young boy who was allegedly hit and killed by his grandmother is speaking out following the tragedy. 

In a joint post to Facebook with Ryan Lawson on Wednesday, Nov. 12, Abi Combs shared her first statement since their son, 5-year-old Carson Lawson, died in their family’s driveway on the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 11, while waiting for the school bus in Louisiana.

“There is absolutely nothing in this world that I could say to truly express the sorrow I will now and forever have in my heart,” she began.

“Yesterday morning, my baby boy, Carson passed away. My baby boy. Is gone,” Combs confirmed.

She called his unexpected death “and the way he went,” “the most traumatic and devastating scenario I have ever had to endure.”

Combs thanked those who have reached out to their family thus far, adding, “Carson knew how much we loved him. I am devastated and completely broken. I will never be the same and I’m asking for privacy at this time to grieve my baby who was gone way too soon.”

The grieving parent said funeral arrangements are underway, and details would be announced at a later time, with plans to have services in Slidell, the city where the incident happened, and in Jonesboro, Ga.

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“But for now, please respect our privacy as we begin our journey with mourning this devastating loss,” she said.

“When everyone asks me if I need anything during this time, I truly do not know what to say but I appreciate the thoughts. I don’t know what to do or really what comes next,” Combs said, sharing Meal Train and GoFundMe links created by loved ones.

Her post also included over a dozen photos of Carson — from him as a newborn wrapped in a blanket, gazing curiously at the camera, to him slightly older and showing his teeth beginning to grow. Another image showed him and his mother at her graduation ceremony.

During a news conference on Tuesday, the Slidell Police Department said Carson’s grandmother, Kristen Anders, 55, was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide. 

Slidell Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau said officers arrived at the home at approximately 7 a.m. on Tuesday. After speaking with witnesses, they determined that Carson was waiting in the driveway for the school bus when Anders left the house and got in her large SUV to drive to work.

Anders allegedly did not know he was outside, and due to the size of her vehicle, she did not notice the child was standing in front of it when she drove forward.

Carson died instantly, according to police.

After being tested, authorities alleged Anders was impaired and under the influence of alcohol and central nervous system depressants.

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“This is any parent’s worst nightmare,” Seuzeneau said. “I was at the scene this morning, as well as several of our officers. This affects everyone. This hits home hard for all of us and all of the first responders who were at that scene.”