Father who left child in hot car free from jail

The man charged with second-degree murder in the hot car death of his infant daughter is free from jail.

However, his charges were not reduced as expected.

Joshua Blunt, 25, of Grenada, appeared in Grenada Municipal Court Tuesday morning in front of Judge Rusty Harlow.

Blunt's attorney, Carlos Moore, asked Judge Harlow to reduce the charge from second-degree murder to culpable manslaughter. Harlow denied the request.

Culpable negligence has a maximum sentence of one year in prison. Second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Monday afternoon, Grenada city prosecutor Jennifer Adams confirmed the charge was expected to be reduced.

Repeated calls to Grenada County District Attorney Doug Evans have not been returned.

Blunt, who had been in the Grenada County Jail on a $250,000 bond, was released on his own recognizance.

Tuesday afternoon, Moore released a statement, saying while his client was "thrilled to be out of jail," he was "extremely disappointed" in the judge's decision.

Blunt was charged with second-degree murder Thursday in the death of 8-month-old Shania Caradine after he left the infant in a car while he went to work.

Monday, Moore said Blunt meant to drop the infant at her grandmother's house but forgot. He attributed Blunt's arrest to "blatant racism."

Less than two weeks before Shania's death, 2-year-old Caroline Bryant died after she was left in a hot car by her mother, who is white. Charges have not been filed related to the toddler's death.

Moore's full statement:

"My client is thrilled to be out of jail and appreciates the city prosecutor for not opposing his motion to be released from jail on his own recognizance. However he is extremely disappointed that the city judge did not heed the same prosecutor's motion to amend and reduce the current charge of second degree murder to culpable negligence. This is unprecedented and shows racism is still in play. How can you release a suspected murderer with no bail if you really believe it was murder? There appears to be a power play. The black city prosecutor vs the white city judge and white district attorney. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Let's stop playing games with a man's freedom. Again, I say the white woman in Madison was not arrested or charged at all. Please continue to pray for my client as he prepares to bury his dearly beloved daughter while still facing a possible life sentence. I will be with him for the duration and will not rest until he is totally free with complete color blind justice. Anything less is unacceptable.

This story is developing. 

Contact Sarah Fowler at sfowler@gannett.com or 601-961-7303. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.