Cassie Barker’s Court Appearance

Former Long Beach police officer Cassie Barker is charged with manslaughter in the death of her three-year-old daughter. The case will be sent straight to a grand jury.
News 25’s Gina Tomlinson was at the Hancock County Courthouse today where Barker pleaded not guilty.
Justice for Cheyenne, that’s all Ryan Hyer says he wants for his daughter after Cheyenne’s mother, Cassie Barker, appeared in Hancock County Court Monday, pleading not guilty for the death of her three-year-old.
Although the judge ruled there was enough evidence to skip a preliminary hearing, Hyer says he’s furious Barker is out on a $50,000 bond. “I still think there is favoritism for being a police officer. Regardless whatever he knows about the case at this time, he set the bond. He had that opportunity today to withdraw that bond,” said Hyer.
Barker allegedly left her child in a hot police car for almost five hours before Cheyenne died on September 30th. Authorities say Barker claimed she fell asleep during her stop at another former Long Beach officer’s house while Cheyenne, strapped in a car seat, was left in the heat. Hyer says this isn’t the first time. “She was arrested in Gulfport. A person walking by had said they’d seen my daughter in the back of her vehicle.”
Hyer says because Barker is a cop the prior incident was covered up. He says he’s filing a lawsuit with the police department, but nothing can bring back Cheyenne. “It was me and her. She was daddy’s girl.”
Hyer made 1,000 stickers that say “Justice for Cheyenne.” He says he even stuck one to the Long Beach Police Department’s front window.
Hyer drove from Jacksonville, Florida to be at Barker’s hearing. He says he was hoping to see her in handcuffs. “She is free to enjoy her life. And my daughter, she’s gone.”