Woman arrested for transporting children in U-Haul identified

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said 42-year-old Katherine Renee Sawyer has been arrested after transporting her children in the cargo area of a U-Haul truck. Sawyer was reportedly driving the truck along with a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old in the cargo area, along with a 17-year-old in the passenger seat.

The sheriff’s office said none of them were secured with seat belts or “restraint devices.” During the welfare check, deputies discovered several people in the cargo area as well. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said the woman driving the U-Haul was the mother of all the occupants. At the time of the welfare check, the temperature inside the cargo area of the U-Haul was at 98.6 degrees and “the children were observed to be sweating profusely.” The mother was arrested for driving without a license. The sheriff’s office said the investigation is under investigation and additional charges of injury to a child and injury to a disabled individual are pending. Child Protective Services is reportedly working with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office to make arrangements for the children and ensure their safety.