Councilmember Sheri Weiner Seeks Policy Reform After Infant Rescue

Sheri Weiner, a Metro Nashville Councilmember, is calling for city policy reforms to better identify and protect children living in homeless encampments. The push for change follows the July 2 rescue of a 6-month-old infant discovered near a Bellevue Home Depot during a heat warning with temperatures reaching approximately 105 degrees.

Metro Nashville Police Department officers located the child following a tip from another unhoused individual. Weiner and Officer Ben Cantrell responded to the site, where Weiner reported holding the soaking wet child for three hours. The infant was placed in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services and is reported to be in good shape.

The child's parents, Donovan Beals and Crystal Cramer, were arrested on various outstanding warrants, including drug paraphernalia possession and evading police, though neither has been charged with child abuse or child endangerment. During a July 7 committee meeting, Public Health and Safety Committee Chair Jordan Huffman characterized the situation as unfortunate.

Weiner is now collaborating with the Office of Homeless Services and the Davidson County District Attorney's Office to evaluate if current tools are sufficient for protecting children in these environments. She is specifically advocating for more proactive outreach to families living in encampments to prevent similar occurrences.