LUBLIN, WI (OnFocus) – The Taylor County Sheriff’s office is forwarding charges to the Taylor County District Attorney’s Office regarding the two-year-old child that was struck and killed by a train in the Village of Lublin on June 29.
The parents of the child, Kyle Bratland, 26, and Natasha Bratland, 31, will be facing charges of neglecting a child with death as a consequence of that neglect 948.21, a class D felony.
According to a release by the department, at the time of the accident, the Canadian National Railroad train was traveling southbound blowing its train horn numerous times as it approached the village. The child was also running in a southbound direction on the outer edge of the railroad ties. The train conductor noticed the small child moments before impact and attempted to stop the train but was unable to avoid striking the child.
It was determined the train was operating in a safe and normal manner at the time of the incident.
The department said its investigation is nearly complete. Area residents informed the Sheriff’s Office Detective that the children were commonly seen through-out the village playing in the streets, on the railroad tracks and even on roof tops.
It has further been determined that the two-year old victim was alone leading up to the fatal accident and not under any supervision. The child was seen alone walking down the street in only a diaper.
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