A Metro Nashville councilmember is calling for changes to how the city responds to homeless encampments after a 6 month old baby was found living in an encampment near the Bellevue Home Depot during a recent heat warning.
Councilmember Sheri Weiner said the discovery has highlighted the need for better tools and policies to identify and protect children living in unsafe conditions before emergencies occur.
The infant was found on July 2 after Metro Nashville police returned to the encampment following a tip from another unhoused resident. A week earlier, Weiner and West Precinct Officer Ben Cantrell visited the area to document conditions and noticed a stroller and changing table, raising concerns that a child might be living there.
When officers returned, they found the baby and took the child into protective custody.
Police arrested the child’s father, 27 year old Donovan Beals, on multiple outstanding failure to appear warrants, along with resisting arrest and evading police after he allegedly tried to flee officers. The child’s mother, 41 year old Crystal Cramer, was arrested by Fairview police on outstanding warrants and charges including failure to appear, possession of drug paraphernalia, and probation violations.
Authorities said neither parent has been charged with child abuse or child endangerment in connection with the child.
Weiner said she helped care for the infant while waiting for the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services to arrive. She said the baby was overheated and sweating but appeared to be in otherwise good condition aside from several bug bites.
The child is now in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.
Following the incident, Weiner said she is working with the Office of Homeless Services, the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office, and fellow Metro Council members to review whether current policies provide enough authority to protect children living in homeless encampments.
She is also advocating for more proactive outreach to identify families living in encampments while continuing efforts to connect unhoused residents with housing, healthcare, and other support services.
Weiner said she will continue pushing for a long-term solution to the Bellevue encampment that addresses both public safety concerns and the needs of those experiencing homelessness.