Father charged with child abuse after toddler dies from injuries in tractor crash

A Bristol Virginia man left the scene of a tractor crash, leaving behind his 3-year-old child who was pinned underneath the machine, according to police.

The toddler died from their injuries while Austin Tyler-Raymond Tester, 21, was captured by police and US Marshals hours later. Investigators said Tester is charged with felony child abuse and neglect and a probation violation while his mother, 41-year-old Kelly Tester, is charged with obstruction of justice after officers said she was harboring her son following the wreck.

The early report said Tester was holding the child on his lap while operating the tractor in the 100 block of Davis Valley prior to the incident. Tester had a warrant due to an outstanding violation of his probation on prior drug charges.

“Following the incident, Tester left the scene, and there was a delay in notification to emergency services,” said the report issued Thursday afternoon by the Bristol Virginia Police Department.

Austin Tester was taken to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon where he is being held without bond. Kelly Tester was released from jail after posting a $2,000 unsecured bond.

(IMAGES: Property of Bristol Virginia Police Department)