Father is jailed in death of son

An Atmore man has been charged with reckless murder after his 2-year old son died Monday after being left strapped in a child restraint seat for about eight hours inside the man's truck while he was at work at 30 Below Ice Cream Bar and The Heat Sports Grill on North Main Street in Atmore.

Shaun W. Rounsavall, 51, 26 Highland St., was arrested by Atmore police after learning of the child's death.

Reports released from the Atmore Police Department say police were contacted about 4:30 p.m. by Atmore Community Hospital in reference to a 2-year old child who was transported to the hospital by his father after being left unattended in a vehicle for several hours. Reports state the child, Cody Weston Rounsavall, was pronounced dead by hospital staff a short time later.

Police discovered the child was supposed to be dropped off at the First Baptist Church day care in Atmore earlier that morning.

Rounsavall arrived at the day care center about 4 p.m. Monday to pick up his son but he was told the child was never dropped off.

Rounsavall discovered his child strapped in the back seat of his pickup truck and drove to the hospital.

Rounsavall was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.

During a bond hearing Tuesday afternoon before District Judge Eric Coale, District Attorney Steve Billy said due to the nature of the case he requested a bond of $500,000. Judge Coale agreed and set the bond at $500,000 with the condition if he's released he's to have no contact with anyone under the age of 18.

When asked, Rounsavall said he would like to have an attorney appointed for him, saying he was working for his wife and was on Medicaid.

Judge Coale granted the financial hardship and appointed the public defender's office to represent him.