Annual Report of Child Fatalities
2.0M

State Fiscal Year (SFY)
(July 01, 2013 to June 30, 2014)

11?

INDIANA

DEPARTMENT OF

CHILD
SERVICES

 

Preface

P

er the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) policy, DCS completes a review of all
child fatalities in the following circumstances:

For children under the age of one, if the circumstances surrounding the child’s death are
reported to be sudden, unexpected or unexplained, or if there are allegations of abuse or
neglect; and
For children age one or older, if the circumstances surrounding the child’s death involve
allegations of abuse or neglect.
DCS will assess the fatality in question to determine if abuse or neglect has occurred and
therefore should be substantiated.
Abuse is defined in Indiana Code 31-34-1-2 as an act in which a child’s physical or mental
health is seriously endangered due to injury by the act or omission of the child’s parent,
guardian, or custodian.
Neglect is defined in Indiana Code 31-34-1-1 as an act in which a child’s physical or mental
condition is seriously impaired or seriously endangered as a result of the inability, refusal,
or neglect of the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian to supply the child with necessary
food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education or supervision.
DCS collects and analyzes this data to create an annual Child Fatality Report (Report).
This Report, abridged in the Executive Summary (Summary), illustrates changes or trends
in the number of fatalities from the previous year. The Summary also includes a synopsis
of data for all substantiated child abuse or neglect fatalities for that State Fiscal Year (SFY),
including demographic information pertaining to the victims, perpetrators, and households impacted by these fatalities. The report augments the demographics with a description of the maltreatment that led to the child’s death.
Through analysis of the report, DCS identifies the risk factors that are common elements
related to abuse and/or neglect fatalities. This information can aid in the development of
prevention, educational and service programs specific for the communities affected and
the State as a whole. The data is also used to evaluate, review, and modify DCS policy,
practice and procedure where warranted. The data assembled in the report is collected
from multiple sources, including DCS records, death certificates, coroners’ reports, autopsy
reports, and law enforcement records.
Each fatality identified undergoes a multi-layered review process that occurs at both the
county and state level. A team of professionals from the local county reviews the assessed
fatality alleged to be the result of abuse and/or neglect. A local multi-disciplinary team
examines the evidence and recommendations provided by the local DCS staff regarding
each death. After the local team reviews the assessment, a team of DCS personnel provides
a supplementary review of each case.

Department of Child Services / Annual Child Fatality Report / For State Fiscal Year 2014

1

 General SFY 2014 Child Abuse and Neglect Comments

T

his Report focuses on the deaths that were substantiated as a direct result of caregiver  
maltreatment or neglect during SFY 2014. Each child who was a victim of child abuse
or neglect should be remembered and mourned. The circumstances of these deaths need
to be studied so every citizen in Indiana can understand the factors that led to their tragic
deaths, and apply these painful lessons toward preventing the deaths of other children.
Whether from maltreatment, poor judgment and/or lack of information and resources,
many child deaths are preventable.
The Report is compiled using data from the DCS database. The database categorizes fatalities
by the major category of death, and provides detailed information about cause of death
to gain a clearer picture of the types of abuse and neglect that ultimately resulted in the
child’s death.

Department of Child Services / Annual Child Fatality Report / For State Fiscal Year 2014

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 DCS Annual Child Fatality Report Executive Summary

I

n SFY 2014, 66 child fatalities were substantiated for abuse or neglect via the fatality review
process. Of the total fatalities, 12 (18%) were due to abuse, and 54 (82%) were due to
neglect. Four of these children (6%) had prior history with DCS*.

 

* Prior history is defined as: the victim had prior substantiated history as a victim.

In the case of abuse, 50 percent of these children were one year of age or younger, and in
the case of neglect, 46 percent of these children were one year of age or younger. This
finding demonstrates a consistent trend that young children are at the highest risk of abuse
or neglect.
This Report also found head trauma was the primary injury in cases of abuse fatalities, and
drowning was the primary contributor in neglect fatalities.
A pattern of stress factors was also revealed, with insufficient income and unemployment
being a risk factor in 61 percent of both abuse and neglect cases combined. Additionally,
substance abuse was a risk factor in 31 percent of abuse cases and 28 percent of neglect
cases. The Report found domestic violence was a risk factor in 19 percent of abuse cases
and 19 percent of neglect cases. These findings indicate continued societal/community-level
issues that affect parents, and can contribute to an increased risk of child abuse or neglect
in the home*.
 

* Perpetrators are not asked about specific stress factors. Information is obtained   
  through the interview process. Perpetrators can exhibit multiple stress factors, yet  
  may not reveal all of their stress factors.

Another pattern revealed in the report is abuse or neglect inflicted by the biological parent(s).
The report shows, 63 percent of abuse fatalities and 77 percent of neglect fatalities were
committed by the biological parent(s).
Additionally, 31 percent of these abuse fatalities and 14 percent of the neglect fatalities
were committed by the parent’s intimate partner or another relative.

Department of Child Services / Annual Child Fatality Report / For State Fiscal Year 2014

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 Fatalities Due to Abuse

A

n eight month old child died from multiple blunt force injuries to the head. The mother  
stated that the child had been in the bedroom with her boyfriend sleeping when the
child fell off the bed. The mother stated that when she went to check on the child, she
noticed that the child had bruises in his ear, neck area, and was gasping for air. The mother
stated that every time her boyfriend put the child to sleep she noticed that he had bruises
on his head. The child was taken to the hospital by the mother and the mother’s boyfriend.
The child had severe bruising to the left ear, throat, forehead, lower extremities, genitals,
and right ankle. A CT scan was done by the hospital and revealed a right occipital fracture
and subdural hematoma. These were described by medical personnel as non-accidental
injuries. Medical records indicated that the child had acute respiratory failure, traumatic
brain injury, subdural hematoma, skull fracture, and rib fractures. The child also had a burn
on the right forearm. The mother’s boyfriend denied that he had caused the injuries to the
child. The mother’s boyfriend was arrested and charged with battery resulting in death and
neglect of a dependent resulting in death. He pleaded guilty and a plea agreement was
signed. He was sentenced to 50 years for battery resulting in death and 40 years for neglect
of a dependent resulting in death. The mother was arrested and charged with neglect of a
dependent resulting in death. She was sentenced to 30 years. DCS substantiated death due
to physical abuse, medical neglect, and environment life/health endangering against the
mother and the mother’s boyfriend.
A one year old child died with the initial cause of death reported as retropharyngeal abscess.
However, upon further review by a medical team, it was determined that the child had suffered inflicted trauma which was the likely cause of death. The child was in the care of her
mother and her mother’s boyfriend at the time the injuries occurred but neither offered a
plausible explanation to account for the child’s condition. Both did report that the child was
seen in the emergency room the previous day after reportedly injuring her mouth on the
railing of the crib. Medical records do support that visit but do not record all of the injuries
the child was found to have upon death. The child was found to have blunt force injuries
on the face including numerous small round bruises around the mouth and under the chin,
concentrated along the left jaw line and with a deep purple bruise to the left of the mouth.
The child also had a deep ¾ inch laceration on the inner aspect of the upper lip, left of
midline and an additional, shallower ½ inch laceration on the inner aspect of the upper
lip at midline. A ½ inch horizontal laceration on the inner aspect of the lower lip was also
found. DCS substantiated death due to physical abuse against the mother and the mother’s
boyfriend. No criminal charges were filed.
A two year old child was taken to the hospital after 911 was called by his father. The child
was in the care of his father while his mother was at work. The father stated that he found
the child not breathing and pulseless. The hospital ordered a CT scan and the child had
three skull fractures, subdural hematomas on both the right and left side, an acute hematoma on the left side and a chronic hematoma on the right. The child had only brain stem
breathing and there was no other brain activity. A belly CT scan was done and revealed that
there was fluid in the digestive tract which meant a possible pancreatic injury. The child
also had a bruise in the corner of his left eye. The child had a 90 degree body temperature
when he arrived at the hospital. The parents stated that the child was seen in the ER a week
Department of Child Services / Annual Child Fatality Report / For State Fiscal Year 2014

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 Fatalities Due to Abuse (Cont’d)
prior to the incident and was diagnosed with an ear infection and prescribed antibiotics.
The child was brought back to the ER a few days later and diagnosed with febrile seizures
and pneumonia. The child was transferred to Riley Hospital and upon further examination
the child had two torn retinas with the left being fully detached, which is caused by severe
shaking. Doctors stated that the child was blind and deaf and would not be able to move
on his own if he survived. The child also had a torn frenulum. When law enforcement interviewed the parents the father admitted to slamming the child’s head on the floor, forcing
a bottle into his mouth, and violently shaking him twice. The child was placed on life
support and later died. The cause of death was listed as sepsis due to pneumonia. There
were contributing factors of respiratory failure and ventilator dependent secondary to nonaccidental trauma. The father was arrested and charged with several felony battery charges.
He pleaded guilty to 4 counts of felony battery on a child. He was sentenced to 44 years in
prison. DCS substantiated death due to physical abuse against the father.
A two year old child was brought to the ER by her mother and stepfather. The mother
reported that the child was acting normal prior to her death. The stepfather was at work on
the day of the incident and the child was in the care of her mother. The stepfather reported
that when he got home from work he checked on the child and noticed that she was
wheezing and very cold. He stated that he told the mother to take the child to the hospital
but she refused. The mother instead gave the child hot lemon water and wrapped a
blanket around her. The mother stated that she placed the child in bed with her and at that
time noticed that the child’s eyes were closed, she was limp, groaning, and her feet were
“blue”. The next day the child was breathing rapidly and wheezing, she was then taken to
the hospital for treatment. The child was observed at the hospital with bruises on her
forehead, chin, thigh, and shins. The child had red line marks on her inner left thigh,
healing and hyper pigmented scars on her arms, looped marks on her left ribcage, and
trauma to her right index and middle fingers. The mother reported that the child had some
developmental delays and she was trying to potty train her. The mother admitted to
physically disciplining the child and that she would use an adult belt to strike her on the
legs and around her private area. The mother stated that on the day of the incident the
child had urinated on the floor and she grabbed her by the face. She stated that the child
was crying and she was tired of her crying, so she held the child’s face down into a pillow
until she stopped crying. The mother was arrested and charged with murder, neglect of a
dependent, and battery with injury. She was sentenced to 60 years in prison. The autopsy
report listed the cause of death as multiple acute looped, patterned blunt force traumatic
injuries. DCS substantiated death due to physical abuse, medical neglect, and environment
life/health endangering against the mother.
A two year old child died from blunt force trauma to the abdomen. The child was brought
to the hospital by ambulance after being found unresponsive by his mother. The child
had been seen at the hospital earlier that day for dehydration and over the weekend for
a stomach virus. The child was observed to have a bruise under his left eye and a bruise
is his private area. Hospital staff did not recall seeing these injuries on the child when
he was seen prior. A CT scan was completed and revealed that the child’s appendix had
ruptured and there were crystals and dense fluid present. The mother stated that on the
Department of Child Services / Annual Child Fatality Report / For State Fiscal Year 2014

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 Fatalities Due to Abuse (Cont’d)
day of the incident that she left the home to go to the store and that the child was left in the
care of her boyfriend. She stated that when she returned the child had feces all over him,
his private area was swollen, and he was unresponsive. The boyfriend stated that on the
day of the incident he tried to feed the child and he would not eat and went to sleep. He
stated that he and the mother saw the child fall off of the bed and he was unresponsive.
The mother and her boyfriend denied that they had done anything to hurt the child. After
being interviewed again the boyfriend admitted that the mother was upset with the child
for using the bathroom on himself and when the child would not stand up, she stomped
on him. The boyfriend stated that he told the mother to leave the apartment and he put
the child to bed. He stated that when the mother returned home the child fell out the bed
and was non-responsive and they called 911. The boyfriend stated that he did not inform
law enforcement of this earlier because he was trying to protect the mother. The final
autopsy report lists the following abdominal injuries; extensive liver lacerations, diaphragm
contusions, pancreas contusions, right adrenal gland lacerations, intestinal contusions,
mesenteric lacerations and contusions, and lower left lung contusion. The boyfriend was
arrested and charged with murder, battery causing death to a minor, and battery causing
serious bodily injury to a minor. The mother was arrested and charged with murder, battery
causing death to a minor, and neglect of a dependent. The murder and battery charges in
regards to the mother were dismissed, but she still faces charges for neglect of a dependent.
The mother and her boyfriend are both in jail still awaiting trial. DCS substantiated death
due to physical abuse against the mother and the mother’s boyfriend.
A five month old child died from multiple injuries due to child abuse. The child was brought
to the ER by paramedics in full arrest. Upon examination he was found to have non-accidental injuries, blunt force head injury, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. A CT scan was completed and revealed that the child had a subdural hematoma, multiple skull fractures, old
rib fractures, and blood on his brain. The child was placed on a ventilator and transferred
to another hospital, where he was declared brain dead and later died from his injuries. The
mother and her boyfriend reported that the child had fallen off the bed and hit his head
on the night table. The hospital reported that the child had been seen approximately two
months ago when he was two months old and the mother had stated then that the child
had fallen off the bed and hit his face and head on the carpet. A CT scan was done at that
time and a tiny post traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage was noted. The injury was determined to be consistent with the mechanism of the fall. The day of the incident the mother
stated that she left the home to go to the store and that the child was left in the care of her
boyfriend. She stated that her boyfriend called her and told her to come home because the
child was not breathing. She stated that she called 911. The boyfriend stated that on the
day of the incident he heard a sound like a slap and then the child cried and then stopped
as the mother placed him in the swing. He stated that when the mother left the home to
go to the store, the child was in the bed sleeping. He stated that the child looked funny
and was not breathing. He stated that he picked the child up and the child was going limp.
He stated that he tried to do CPR but panicked, and called the mother to come home. The
boyfriend admitted that he had seen the mother on multiple occasions handle the child
“rough” and not properly support his head. The mother was arrested and charged with
Department of Child Services / Annual Child Fatality Report / For State Fiscal Year 2014

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 Fatalities Due to Abuse (Cont’d)
neglect of a dependent and battery. Through a plea agreement she was sentenced to 20
years in prison. The boyfriend pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent and was sentenced
to 4 years (2 years Community Corrections, 2 years probation). DCS substantiated death
due to physical abuse and environment life/health endangering against the mother.
A three year old child died from asphyxia due to soot inhalation. The child, her mother, and
another family member died in a house fire set by the mother’s boyfriend. According to
police records the mother’s boyfriend admitted to setting a jacket on fire in the hallway
at the bottom of the stairs. He stated that the jacket was on a double child stroller when it
was set on fire. He was positive for THC and intoxicated. It was reported that there was a
history of domestic violence between the mother and her boyfriend. He was arrested and
charged with 3 counts of murder and 4 counts of arson. He was sentenced to 200 years in
prison. DCS substantiated death due to physical abuse against the mother’s boyfriend.
A six month old child died as a result of extensive head injuries due to blunt force trauma.
The child was brought to the hospital by ambulance in full cardiac arrest with no pulse or
signs of life. The mother reported that the child had an asthma attack and sounded like she
was gasping for air. The mother stated that she gave the child a breathing treatment at that
time. The mother stated that the child had breathing problems and sleeps in a car seat.
Hospital staff reported that the child had blood in her mouth and her abdomen was
bloated. Hospital staff stated that the mother did not indicate that the child had vomited
when asked about the events leading up to her death. Hospital staff also had concerns with
the time frame that was being reported by the mother with regards to the child having an
asthma attack at 4:30am, but paramedics were not called until 8:10am. The parents stated
that their apartment had been sprayed the day before with pesticides and that upon
returning to the apartment the child began having problems breathing and had several
asthma attacks. An autopsy was performed and it was noted that the child’s suture lines
(where the skull plates fuse together) were not fused like that of a normally developed six
month old. It was also noted that along one of the suture lines was a crack, subdural
hematomas were found, there was blood on top of the skull and underneath the skull cap.
The parents denied that they did anything to hurt the child. The parents were also interviewed by law enforcement and the parents failed the polygraph test. The final autopsy
report listed the following findings; multiple fresh or recent contusion hemorrhages over
the scalp and galea of the head, multiple fractures of the skull, bilateral fused and closed
temporalis suture line fractures, linear fractures at the occipital bone of the skull, fracture
and fresh hemorrhages at the cribriform plate at the anterior cranial fossa, focal and fresh
contusion hemorrhages over the cerebrum and cerebellum, and moderate cerebral edema.
DCS substantiated death due to physical abuse against the mother and the father. No criminal charges were filed.
A fourteen year old child died from a gunshot wound to the head after being shot by his
father. The father shot and killed himself after killing his child. The father picked the child
up from school like he usually did and when the child was not returned to his mother’s
home that evening the police were called. The father’s vehicle was located in the park and
the child and his father were found inside deceased from an apparent murder-suicide.
Department of Child Services / Annual Child Fatality Report / For State Fiscal Year 2014

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 Fatalities Due to Abuse (Cont’d)
The mother reported that the father had been having suicidal thoughts and that he had
sought mental health treatment prior to the incident. DCS substantiated death due to
physical abuse against the father.
A six year old child died from respiratory arrest due to asphyxia due to inhalation of soot
and carbon monoxide poisoning. The child was in the care of her mother’s friend and his
partner at the time of her death. The mother stated that she had dropped her child off at
her friends’ home the night before as they were going to watch her while she went to work
the next morning. The mother stated that she had left her child in their care before without
any incident. Law enforcement and the fire department responded to a house fire in which
the child had died and the mother’s friend was hospitalized due to his injuries. The caregiver admitted to starting the fire. He stated that he had purposely set two pieces of paper on
fire using a cigarette lighter. Fire Department reports note that there were three areas of
fire origin, one being in the room where the papers were lit, a closet in the bedroom where
the child was at, and on the mattress where the child was sleeping. The door to this room
was also closed. The home had a smoke detector but it did not have a battery in it. The
caregiver was arrested and charged with 2 counts of murder, 1 count of attempted murder,
and 1 count of arson resulting in serious bodily harm. He was sentenced to 80 years in prison. DCS substantiated death due to physical abuse against the caregiver.
A one year old child died from multiple blunt trauma injuries followed by drowning while
in the care of her father. The child’s father stated that the child had fallen while trying to
get out of the tub and that he had found her lying in the tub. First responders noted that
the child was not wet upon their arrival, nor was the floor where she was lying. The child
was found to have blunt force trauma to the head, abdomen and chest, including several
rib fractures. The child was also found to have a prolapsed rectum. A review of 911 records
revealed that the father called 911 but hung up on dispatchers and refused to answer returned calls. The child’s father pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in death
and was sentenced to a term of 45 years. DCS substantiated death due to physical abuse
against the child’s father.
A one year old child died from blunt force traumatic injury to the head sustained while in
the care of the boyfriend of the child’s mother. After giving multiple accounts of what had
occurred the boyfriend admitted to having been frustrated with the child and then throwing the child into the pack and play with significant force. Law enforcement officials advised
that the broken bar on the bottom of the pack and play may have resulted from the child
being forcefully thrown into the pack and play. Medical professionals advised that the
amount of brain damaged tissue indicated a significant delay in seeking medical care.
The boyfriend of the child’s mother was charged with murder, battery and neglect of a
dependent. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison. DCS substantiated death due to physical abuse against the boyfriend of the child’s mother.

Department of Child Services / Annual Child Fatality Report / For State Fiscal Year 2014

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 Fatalities Due to Neglect

A

one year old child died from carbon monoxide intoxication. There was a fire at the
home daycare where the child had been dropped off by the aunt. There were a total of
six children at the daycare, including the one year old child. The daycare owner successfully
removed five of the children from the home to a safe location. The daycare owner initially
advised that all of the children had been moved to safety and only realized that she had
forgotten the one year old child after her adult son asked about the baby. The daycare
owner admitted that she forgot that the one year old child was inside the daycare. The one
year old child was unable to be removed from the daycare due to the extent of the flames
and spread of the fire. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and environment life/health
endangering against the daycare owner. No criminal charges were filed.

A four year old child died from head and neck injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.
The child was a passenger in the vehicle driven by her grandmother. The child’s mother,
sibling, and a family friend were also in the vehicle. The vehicle was stopped on the
interstate highway and was hit in the rear by another vehicle. The grandmother admitted
to having consumed alcohol earlier that day. Toxicology reports showed that the grandmother who was the driver of the vehicle was positive for alcohol and marijuana. The child’s
mother reported that the child was not in a car seat but was sitting in the back seat with
the seat belt around her waist only. Criminal charges were filed against the grandmother,
reckless homicide and causing death while operating a vehicle under the influence both
class C felonies. The grandmother is still awaiting trial. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and environment life/health endangering against the mother and the grandmother
A one month old child died as a result of positional and mechanical asphyxia. The child
was found unresponsive in the bed co-sleeping with his father. The child was pronounced
deceased at the scene. The father had been sleeping next to the child with his arm draped
over the child’s stomach. The father denied using any drugs, however he tested positive for
methamphetamine and amphetamine. The father was on probation at the time and as a
result his probation was revoked and he was incarcerated. DCS substantiated death due to
neglect and environment life/health endangering against the father. No criminal charges
were filed.
A three year old child and twin sibling died from respiratory arrest due to inhalation of
super-heated air and carbon monoxide poisoning. The children were in the care of their
father when a fire started in the home. The father and his girlfriend escaped but the children were still in the home when first responders arrived. The children were found and
removed from the home but both died due to injuries sustained from the fire. The father
admitted to smoking marijuana and taking ecstasy all through the night and into the
morning, stopping only a few hours before the fire. The morning of the fire the father
tested positive for THC, ecstasy, and hydrocodone. The father was charged with two counts
of neglect of a dependent resulting in death. He was also charged with several counts of
possession of controlled substances, dealing and possession of marijuana, maintaining
a common nuisance, possession of paraphernalia, and contributing to the delinquency of
a minor. The father pleaded guilty to two counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in
death. Under the plea agreement he was sentenced to 55 years in the Department of
Department of Child Services / Annual Child Fatality Report / For State Fiscal Year 2014

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 Fatalities Due to Neglect (Cont’d)
Correction. DCS substantiated death due to neglect, lack of supervision, and environment
life/health endangering against the father.
A three year old child and twin sibling died from respiratory arrest due to inhalation of
superheated air and carbon monoxide poisoning. The children were in the care of their
father when a fire started in the home. The father and his girlfriend escaped but the children were still in the home when first responders arrived. The children were found and
removed from the home but both died due to injuries sustained from the fire. The father
admitted to smoking marijuana and taking ecstasy all through the night and into the
morning, stopping only a few hours before the fire. The morning of the fire the father tested
positive for THC, ecstasy, and hydrocodone. The father was charged with two counts of
neglect of a dependent resulting in death. He was also charged with several counts of
possession of controlled substances, dealing and possession of marijuana, maintaining
a common nuisance, possession of paraphernalia, and contributing to the delinquency of
a minor. The father pleaded guilty to two counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in
death. Under the plea agreement he was sentenced to 55 years in the Department of
Correction. DCS substantiated death due to neglect, lack of supervision, and environment
life/health endangering against the father.
A one year old child died from asphyxiation due to drowning. The child was found at the
bottom of an above ground swimming pool in the backyard of the great-grandparent’s
home. The child resided in the home with his great-grandparents and his mother. The
great-grandparents had left the home to go buy a lock for the pool gate after hearing
about another child relative drowning in a pool earlier that same day. The child was in the
care of his mother at time of the drowning. A witness reported that the mother had been
seen sitting in her car in the front yard on her cell phone. During the assessment it was later
discovered that the mother was on the phone with the child’s father who was incarcerated
and the phone conversation was recorded. The mother had stated to the father on the call
that she had caught the child earlier climbing on the pool steps. DCS substantiated death
due to neglect, lack of supervision, and environment life/health endangering against the
mother. No criminal charges were filed.
A one month old child died due to sudden unexplained infant death (SUID) with a contributing factor of unsafe sleeping environment. The child was found unresponsive at the foot
of the parents’ bed. The mother stated that she had placed the child to sleep in a bouncy
seat next to her side of the bed. The mother stated that she did not remember picking the
child up in the middle of the night but stated that she was very tired and must have picked
the child up when the child was fussy and fell asleep with him in the bed. However, neither
parent could offer any explanation as to how their one month old, non-mobile child ended
up in an unsafe environment at the foot of the bed. The parents both tested positive for
marijuana. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and environment life/health endangering against the mother and the father. No criminal charges filed.
A two month old child died due to sudden unexplained death in infancy (SUDI) with a contributing factor of co-sleeping. The mother woke up and found the child beside her in the
bed unresponsive and cold. The mother admitted to regularly co-sleeping with the child.
Department of Child Services / Annual Child Fatality Report / For State Fiscal Year 2014

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 Fatalities Due to Neglect (Cont’d)
The mother reported that the night before the child died, she laid in bed with the child and
smoked cigarettes. The mother denied any drug use, however tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine. The mother later admitted that she had ongoing substance
abuse issues since she was 15 years old. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and environment life/health endangering against the mother. No criminal charges were filed.
A nine month old child died due to positional asphyxia with a contributing factor of unsafe
sleeping conditions. The child was placed in a crib for a nap by the father. The father found
the child wedged between the mattress and side rail of the crib unresponsive. The child
had suffocated and was pronounced dead at the scene. The crib was defective and was
missing a bolt from the leg of the crib where the railing would have been secured. The
parents knew that the bolt was missing from the crib and had pushed the crib up against
the wall until they could purchase another bolt. DCS substantiated death due to neglect
and environment life/health endangering against the father and the mother. No criminal
charges were filed.
A five year old child died as a result of asphyxia due to hanging. The child was at a licensed
daycare facility. The child was outside playing in the backyard of the daycare along with
three other children unsupervised by daycare staff. It was reported that there was a jump
rope tied around the playground equipment on the slide and that there was a loop in it
wide enough for someone to place their head in. The other children at the daycare reported that the child put the rope around his neck and got on the slide but got stuck. The
children reportedly took the rope off of the child’s neck and pushed him down the slide.
The children thought that the child was “playing dead” and they attempted to try to wake
the child up before they told staff that something was wrong. There were two staff members working on the day of the child’s death and both admitted that neither of them were
outside supervising the children but were watching them from the window. The daycare
owner was not at the facility on the day of the incident but did admit that she had not
inspected the backyard or the playground equipment in about a month. The daycare was
on probation for several violations when the death occurred. The daycare was immediately
closed by the state daycare licensing agency after the child’s death. The daycare owner
and the two staff members who were working the day of the child’s death were arrested
and charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide. The daycare owner
and staff members are currently in jail still awaiting trial. DCS substantiated death due to
neglect and lack of supervision against the two daycare staff. DCS substantiated death due
to neglect and environment life/health endangering against the daycare owner.
A six month old child died as a result of multiple blunt force trauma injuries due to a motor
vehicle accident. The child was a passenger in the vehicle driven by his father. The child’s
mother, sibling, and cousin were also in the vehicle. The vehicle that was being driven by
the father was struck from behind on the rear driver’s side causing the tire to fall off and
the car to spin. The child was ejected from the car and found on the side of the road by the
mother once the vehicle stopped. The child was in a car seat but it was not attached to the
seat belt in the backseat of the vehicle. The child safety restraints in the car seat were not
secured around the child either. The child was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
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The child later died at the hospital from the injuries sustained from the car accident. DCS
substantiated death due to neglect and environment life/health endangering against the
mother and the father. No criminal charges were filed.
A three year old child died from anoxic brain injury from drowning. The parents were at
the beach with their four children. The father had the two older children with him and
the mother had the two younger children with her. The child was playing on the beach
in the water with the mother and sibling. The mother took the child’s life vest off to apply
sunscreen and the mother did not put it back on. The mother got out of the water and
walked back on the beach to go to the picnic area and pick up toys. The other sibling came
and found the mother and told her that she could not find the child. It was reported that
the child had a history of wandering away. The child was found underwater and pulled to
shore by a witness who started CPR until medics arrived. It was reported that the child had
been missing for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. The child was transported to the hospital
in critical condition as a near fatality and placed on a ventilator. The child was declared
brain dead and later died. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and lack of supervision
against the mother. No criminal charges were filed.
A five week old infant died as a result of perinatal asphyxia with morbid encephalopathy
of a 25 week gestation female. The child’s mother was six months pregnant and committed
suicide by hanging herself. It was reported that the mother was depressed. Due to the
suicide, the hospital had to do an emergency C-section to deliver the child. The child was
born three months premature. The child was placed on a ventilator. Due to the effects of
the mother hanging herself, the child suffered brain damage due to the lack of oxygen and
blood flow. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and environment life/health endangering against the mother.
An eleven month old child died as a result of methadone toxicity. The child was being
cared for by his cousin while his mother was at work. It was reported that the cousin saw
the child pick something up off of the floor and put it in his mouth but wasn’t sure what it
was. The cousin stated that she swept her finger in the child’s mouth because she thought
he had swallowed something causing the child to throw up. It was reported that throughout the day the child was noticed to have some difficulty with breathing. The cousin was
advised by several people that she needed to seek medical care for the child due to the
issue with his breathing. Despite the concerns for the child’s health, the cousin and her
boyfriend continued to run errands. At some point the child stopped breathing and at this
time the child was taken to the hospital. The child was admitted to the hospital in critical
condition and was placed on a ventilator. The child also began having seizures. The CT scan
indicated that the child had suffered a global anoxic injury. The toxicology results showed
that the child tested positive for methadone 1510mg/ml. The cousin denied any drug use
or knowing how the child had ingested the methadone. The cousin and the mother both
tested negative for all substances. Criminal charges were filed against the cousin and she
was charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury, a class B felony. The
cousin pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison with 4 years being suspended.
DCS substantiated death due to neglect and medical neglect against the cousin.
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 Fatalities Due to Neglect (Cont’d)
A two year old child died from asphyxiation secondary to drowning. The child was found
face down in the above ground family pool. The child was outside playing and swimming
with his three older siblings. It was reported by the other children that their mother was
inside the house getting ready while they were outside in the pool. At some point the
other children went into the house and the child was still outside. When they did not see
him, they began looking for him and found him in the pool. DCS substantiated death due
to neglect and lack of supervision against the mother. No criminal charges were filed.
An eleven month old child died as a result of pharmacologic intoxication. The child and
his four year old sibling were in the care of their mother. The mother fell asleep and the
children were left unsupervised. The child reportedly ingested some Benadryl pills and
ate some tobacco from a cigarette. The Benadryl and cigarettes were on the coffee table
in reach of the child. The child’s sibling stated that she took the things out of the child’s
mouth but did not wake up the mother. The sibling woke the mother up to let her know
that the child was shaking. The mother stated that the sibling usually wakes her up if the
child puts anything in his mouth. The number of pills that the child ingested was unknown.
The Benadryl pills were in a plastic bag and not in a child proof bottle. DCS substantiated
death due to neglect and lack of supervision against the mother. No criminal charges were
filed.
A nine month old child died as a result of asphyxia due to drowning with a contributing
factor of lack of adult supervision. The child was found lying on his side in the bathtub.
The father stated that he was preparing to give the child a bath and had ran bath water in
the tub. The father stated that the child was in the bathroom with him playing on the floor
while he was filling up the tub. The father stated that he then picked the child up and took
him into the bedroom to undress him for the bath. The father stated that he had left the
child in the bedroom and went to go lock the front door. The father stated that when he
went back to the bedroom he saw the child in the tub. The father stated that he did not put
the child in the tub and that the child must have climbed in by himself. It was reported by
another child that was in the home that the father did put the child in the bathtub unattended and was on the computer on Facebook. DCS substantiated death due to neglect
and lack of supervision against the father. No criminal charges were filed.
An eleven year old child died from multiple trauma to the head due to an ATV accident.
The child was out riding ATVs with his mother in the field by their home. At some point the
mother went back to the home and gave the child permission to continue to ride alone.
The child entered onto the road and collided with a motorcycle. The child was not wearing
a helmet. The child was pronounced dead at the scene. DCS substantiated death due to
neglect and lack of supervision against the mother. No criminal charges were filed.
An eleven month old child died due to compression asphyxia. The child was in the care of
the babysitter at a home daycare at the time of the incident. The child had been placed in a
car seat and given a bottle by the babysitter. The babysitter stated that she had unbuckled
the bottom harness of the car seat but left the chest straps fastened and left the room to
go get changing supplies for the child. The babysitter stated that when she returned the
child had slid down in the car seat and that the top straps were pressing against the child’s
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neck and chest area. The autopsy report listed the cause of death as compression asphyxia
secondary to leaning forward against the chest buckle of a tipped child seat. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and lack of supervision against the babysitter. No criminal
charges were filed.
An eight month old child died from sudden unexplained infant death (SUID) with a contributing factor of unsafe sleeping conditions. The child was found not breathing in the adult
sized bed with his mother. The mother stated that she put the child to sleep in the crib and
at some point placed him in the bed with her. The mother admitted to drinking the night
before and into the early morning. The mother was observed to be intoxicated by law
enforcement and DCS. The mother’s BAC level was .28, the morning of the incident. DCS
substantiated death due to neglect against the mother. No criminal charges were filed.
A one year old child died from asphyxia due to drowning. The child was in the care of her
mother at the time of the incident. The child and her sibling were left outside playing in the
backyard unsupervised by their mother who went inside the home to clean up. The child
was found in a decorative pond in the backyard of the home. DCS substantiated death due
to neglect, lack of supervision, and environment life/health endangering against the mother. No criminal charges were filed.
A two month old child died from complications of bacterial pneumonia. The child was born
premature. The child was found cold and unresponsive by his parents. The parents stated
that the child had been cold, had blueish skin, and trouble breathing the day before his
death. The parents did not call the doctor or take the child to hospital. DCS substantiated
death due to neglect, medical neglect, and environment life/health endangering against
the mother and the father. No criminal charges were filed.
A one year old child died as a result of pulmonary edema and congestion due to asphyxia
event due to cervical ligature. The child was found in her crib with the string from the window
blinds wrapped around her neck. The mother stated that she had moved the string from
the crib several times in the past because the child liked to play with it. The mother stated
that she had placed the string behind the blinds. The mother stated that the string was
not in the crib when she put the child to bed. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and
environment life/health endangering against the mother. No criminal charges were filed.
An eight month old child died from sudden unexplained infant death (SUID) with a contributing factor of unsafe sleeping conditions. The child was found cold and unresponsive
by the mother. The child was placed face down on a bean bag chair to sleep by the father
the morning of the incident. The parents did not immediately call 911 upon finding the
child but instead contacted family members. The parents also admitted to smoking marijuana daily while caring for their children. DCS substantiated death due to neglect, medical
neglect, and environment life/health endangering against the parents. No criminal charges
were filed.
A seven year old child died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head, fatal cardiac arrhythmia, and multi-system trauma. The child was riding in a skid loader with his father
who was driving. The child fell backwards out of the skid loader when the seat slipped out
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 Fatalities Due to Neglect (Cont’d)
from underneath him. The child was crushed by the tires of the skid loader. The child was
pronounced dead at the scene. DCS substantiated death due to neglect against the father.
No criminal charges were filed.
A two year old child died from a gunshot wound to the head. The child shot himself in the
eye with a handgun that was on the kitchen counter. The parents admitted that there were
approximately 12-13 guns in the home. Law enforcement recovered several firearms from
the home that were all loaded and had rounds in the chamber. The handguns were located in plain view throughout the home in reach of the children and were even located in
the children’s bedroom. The father was arrested and charged with neglect of a dependent
causing death and neglect of a dependent. The mother was arrested and charged with
neglect of a dependent. The father pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years (14 years
on probation and 6 years in Community Corrections). The charges against the mother were
dismissed. DCS substantiated death due to neglect, environment life/health endangering,
and lack of supervision against the father and the mother.
A two year old child died from hyperthermia. The child was found unresponsive in his
father’s truck. The father was supposed to drop the child off at daycare on his way to work.
The father forgot to drop the child off. The child was left in the vehicle for approximately
four hours. The child was in a car seat and the car windows were rolled up. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and environment life/health endangering against the father. No
criminal charges were filed.
A two year old child died from carbon monoxide intoxication secondary to smoke and soot
inhalation secondary to house fire. The child and siblings were sleeping in a bed at their
mother’s friend’s house. The mother and her friend had left the home to go to the mother’s
home that was approximately 3 minutes away. The child and siblings were left in the home
alone. The mother stated that there were space heaters in the home and the oven was on
to provide heat to the home. It was later determined that a flare had been shot into the
home which ignited and caused the fire. This was in retaliation to another adult who lived
in the home. The individual responsible for shooting the flare into the home was arrested
and pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and one count of arson. The individual was
sentenced to 65 years in prison for each count of murder and 50 years for the charge of
arson. There was also a fourth child that survived the fire. The mother also tested positive
for cocaine. DCS substantiated death due to neglect, environment life/health endangering,
and lack of supervision against the mother.
A six year old child died from carbon monoxide intoxication secondary to smoke and soot
inhalation secondary to house fire. The child and siblings were sleeping in a bed at their
mother’s friend’s house. The mother and her friend had left the home to go to the mother’s
home that was approximately 3 minutes away. The child and siblings were left in the home
alone. The mother stated that there were space heaters in the home and the oven was on
to provide heat to the home. It was later determined that a flare had been shot into the
home which ignited and caused the fire. This was in retaliation to another adult who lived
in the home. The individual responsible for shooting the flare into the home was arrested
and pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and one count of arson. The individual was
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 Fatalities Due to Neglect (Cont’d)
sentenced to 65 years in prison for each count of murder and 50 years for the charge of
arson. There was also a fourth child that survived the fire. The mother also tested positive
for cocaine. DCS substantiated death due to neglect, environment life/health endangering,
and lack of supervision against the mother.
A four year old child died from carbon monoxide intoxication secondary to smoke and soot
inhalation secondary to house fire. The child and siblings were sleeping in a bed at their
mother’s friend’s house. The mother and her friend had left the home to go to the mother’s
home that was approximately 3 minutes away. The child and siblings were left in the home
alone. The mother stated that there were space heaters in the home and the oven was on
to provide heat to the home. It was later determined that a flare had been shot into the
home which ignited and caused the fire. This was in retaliation to another adult who lived
in the home. The individual responsible for shooting the flare into the home was arrested
and pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and one count of arson. The individual was
sentenced to 65 years in prison for each count of murder and 50 years for the charge of
arson. There was also a fourth child that survived the fire. The mother also tested positive
for cocaine. DCS substantiated death due to neglect, environment life/health endangering,
and lack of supervision against the mother.
A seven year old child died from hypoxic ischemic injury secondary to submersion resulting
in multi-system organ failure due to drowning. The child and sibling were playing in the
Wabash River while their father watched from the shore several feet away. The child and
sibling were holding hands and the child went under the water. The child could not swim.
The sibling reported that the father was on his cellphone and did not hear him calling for
help. The father could not swim either. The father located the child approximately 2-3 minutes later. DCS substantiated death due to neglect, lack of supervision, and environment
life/health endangering against the father. No criminal charges were filed.
A three year old child died from asphyxiation due to drowning. The child was found face
down in a pond behind the apartment complex where the family lived. The child was in
the care of his father and the mother was not home. The child was able to unlock the front
door and get outside. The parents both admitted that they had knowledge that the child
was able to unlock the deadbolt on the door. The child was also known to wake up in the
middle of the night and play. This was the first time that the child had gotten out of the
apartment. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and environment life/health endangering against the father. No criminal charges were filed.
A three year old child died from asphyxiation due to drowning. The child had been riding
on a pontoon boat with his family. The child was left in the care of his grandparents while
his parents were out on the lake. At some point the child’s life jacket was removed by his
grandfather. The grandparents lost track of the child and could not find him on the boat.
The child was later found in the water. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and lack of
supervision against the grandfather and the grandmother. No criminal charges were filed.
A four year old child died from a gunshot wound to the head. The child shot himself with a
handgun owned by his parents. The parents stated that the handgun was kept in their bedroom on a shelf in a shoe box in their closet. The handgun was not locked and did not have
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 Fatalities Due to Neglect (Cont’d)
the safety on. The parents stated that the child was aware that there was a handgun in the
home. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and environment life/health endangering
against the mother and the father. No criminal charges were filed.
A one day old infant died as a result of homicidal violence with possible exposure, blood
loss, and asphyxiation. The infant was found in a dumpster. The mother admitted to giving
birth and stated that she thought the infant was stillborn, so she placed the infant in the
dumpster. According to the autopsy report the gestational age of the infant was estimated
to be 25 weeks, the lungs were aerated and the body was bloodless. Doctors determined
that the infant was born alive and if the infant had been taken directly to the hospital after
being born the infant would have survived. The mother was found guilty of feticide and
neglect of a dependent. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison. DCS substantiated death
due to neglect and environment life/health endangering against the mother.
A thirteen year old child died from a gunshot wound to the torso/chest. The child was
accidentally shot by his six year old sibling. The gun belonged to the child’s stepfather.
The stepfather admitted to having the gun out because he was going to clean it and that
it was on the coffee table. The stepfather stated that the six year old child asked to hold
the gun and he allowed him to. The stepfather stated that he had taken the clip out of the
gun but did not know that there was a round in the chamber. The stepfather was arrested
and charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death and dangerous control of a
child. Through a plea agreement he pleaded guilty to dangerous control of a child and was
sentenced to 3 ½ years in prison. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and environment
life/health endangering against the stepfather.
A twelve year old child died from carbon monoxide poisoning. The family’s electricity was
turned off in the home and they set up two generators to provide power to the home.
The child was asleep on the floor in his parents’ bedroom. The child was found cold and
unresponsive. The child was pronounced deceased on the scene. The parents admitted to
smoking methamphetamine the night prior to the child’s death. The parents were arrested
and charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death and reckless homicide. The
parents were sentenced to 2 years in jail and 2 years of probation. DCS substantiated death
due to neglect and environment life/health endangering against the mother and
the father.
A two year old child died from asphyxia due to cold water drowning. The child and twin
sibling were left in the care of their grandmother while their parents were out running
errands. The grandmother reported that she last saw the children playing in the sunroom.
The grandmother stated that she was feeling tired so she went to her bedroom and fell
asleep leaving the children unsupervised. When the parents arrived back at the home the
children were missing. Law enforcement was contacted and the children were later found
on a tarp in an above ground pool at a home in the neighborhood. The pool was not
fenced in and the tarp that was covering the pool had about 2 to 3 feet of water on it. The
grandmother stated that the children had left the home before. DCS substantiated death
due to neglect and lack of supervision against the grandmother. No criminal charges
were filed.
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 Fatalities Due to Neglect (Cont’d)
A two year old child died from asphyxia due to cold water drowning. The child and twin
sibling were left in the care of their grandmother while their parents were out running
errands. The grandmother reported that she last saw the children playing in the sunroom.
The grandmother stated that she was feeling tired so she went to her bedroom and fell
asleep leaving the children unsupervised. When the parents arrived back at the home the
children were missing. Law enforcement was contacted and the children were later found
on a tarp in an above ground pool at a home in the neighborhood. The pool was not fenced
in and the tarp that was covering the pool had about 2 to 3 feet of water on it. The grandmother stated that the children had left the home before. DCS substantiated death due to
neglect and lack of supervision against the grandmother. No criminal charges were filed.
A one year old child died from ligature strangulation while in the care of an unlicensed
daycare provider. The daycare provider originally stated that the child had been sleeping
in a pack and play and had become entangled in the onesie the child was wearing. When
confronted with information that the statement was not consistent with the evidence
found, the daycare provider admitted that the child had been sleeping in a car seat rather
than a pack and play. The car seat in which the child had been sleeping in was an infant/
carrier seat and too small for this child. The daycare provider also advised that her nine year
old daughter had been the individual to put the child in the car seat and had then scooted the car seat into a back bedroom. The nine year old child had also been the individual
who had checked on the child, finding him unresponsive, rather than the daycare provider.
The evidence did support that the child became entangled in the straps and buckle of the
infant car seat and as a result was strangled. Information gathered from interviews from
various parties indicated that the daycare provider often left the child in the car seat. DCS
also found that, due to the number of children at the daycare, the daycare provider was operating illegally without a license. Licensing officials were notified and advised the daycare
provider to immediately shut down the daycare as it was being operated illegally. DCS substantiated death due neglect against the daycare provider. No criminal charges were filed.
A one year old child died from blunt force trauma resulting from injuries sustained in an
ATV accident. The child was riding on an ATV, along with his two year old sibling and another unrelated two year old child that was being driven by his mother. The one year old, the
unrelated two year old child, and the operator of the ATV all died from injuries sustained
during the accident. The two year old sibling sustained life threatening injuries but did recover from those injuries and was placed in the care of his father. Toxicology results showed
that the ATV operator and mother of two of the children was legally intoxicated at the time
of the accident as her BAC level was .104 at the hospital. Further toxicology results from her
autopsy showed that marijuana was also present in her system. Witnesses reported that at
the time of the accident she was operating the ATV at a high rate of speed. DCS substantiated death due to neglect against the mother of the one year old victim.
A one month old child died from sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) with maternal
co-sleeping as a contributing factor. The mother, who placed the child in the bed with her,
initially denied rolling over on the infant but later admitted that it was a possibility. The
mother also admitted to regular use of marijuana and recent use of methamphetamine.
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 Fatalities Due to Neglect (Cont’d)
At the time of the incident the mother tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine,
benzodiazepines, and THC. DCS substantiated death due to neglect against the mother. No
criminal charges were filed.
A three year old child died from extensive burns over the body due to a house fire and smoke
inhalation with the autopsy report listing the smoke inhalation at 17.7%. The parents of the
child left the child in the home with four siblings, ranging in age from six months to six
years old, while they were outside. The home did not have gas or electric and was heated
by the use of space heaters and an open flame propane heater. The space heaters, which
were electric, were powered by an extension cord running from the basement of the
building in which the apartment was located. Per the statements of the surviving children,
the fire began when one child put a piece of paper in the open flame of the propane
heater and then dropped the paper onto the floor. The home was extremely cluttered and
the main and side entrances of the home were blocked. The mother stated that the front
entrance was intentionally blocked to prevent the landlord from entering the home. Three
of the five children in the home at the time of the fire died as a result of the house fire. DCS
substantiated death due to neglect against both the mother and the father. No criminal
charges were filed.
A six month old child died from smoke inhalation and extensive burn over the body with
the autopsy listing the smoke inhalation at 82.9%. The parents of the child left the child
in the home with four siblings, ranging in age from three years to six years old, while they
were outside. The home did not have gas or electric and was heated by the use of space
heaters and an open flame propane heater. The space heaters, which were electric, were
powered by an extension cord running from the basement of the building in which the
apartment was located. Per the statements of the surviving children, the fire began when
one child put a piece of paper in the open flame of the propane heater and then dropped
the paper onto the floor. The home was extremely cluttered and the main and side entrances of the home were blocked. The mother stated that the front entrance was intentionally blocked to prevent the landlord from entering the home. Three of the five children
in the home at the time of the fire died as a result of the house fire. DCS substantiated death
due to neglect against both the mother and the father. No criminal charges were filed.
A four year old child died from extensive burn and charred body due to house fire. The
parents of the child left the child in the home with four siblings, ranging in age from six
months to six years old, while they were outside. The home did not have gas or electric and
was heated by the use of space heaters and an open flame propane heater. The space heaters, which were electric, were powered by an extension cord running from the basement of
the building in which the apartment was located. Per the statements of the surviving children, the fire began when one child put a piece of paper in the open flame of the propane
heater and then dropped the paper onto the floor. The home was extremely cluttered and
the main and side entrances of the home were blocked. The mother stated that the front
entrance was intentionally blocked to prevent the landlord from entering the home. Three
of the five children in the home at the time of the fire died as a result of the house fire. DCS
substantiated death due to neglect against both the mother and the father. No criminal
charges were filed.
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 Fatalities Due to Neglect (Cont’d)
A three year old child from a single gunshot wound to the head. The boyfriend of the child’s
mother was playing a game referred to as “The gun game” in which the child would point
his finger in the form of a gun and say, “Boom Boom” and the boyfriend would do the same
thing using a real gun rather than his finger. On the day of the incident the boyfriend forgot
the gun was loaded, resulting in the child being shot in the head at point blank range. The
boyfriend was found guilty of two felonies, child neglect and reckless homicide and was
sentenced to 4 years in prison and 8 years of probation. DCS substantiated death due to
neglect against the boyfriend of the child’s mother.
A fourteen year old child died from complications of severe emaciation and dehydration
due to Crohn’s Disease. The child had not been seen by a medical provider in approximately
eleven months prior to his death. The mother advised that she did not have insurance and
did not qualify for Medicaid. The mother had been given information by a hospital social
worker regarding Children’s Special Health Care Services but failed to complete the application. In addition to the lack of medical monitoring of the child’s condition and the lack of
medical insurance this resulted in the child not receiving the necessary prescribed medications for his condition. Although the mother knew that the child was having difficulty
keeping food down, she still failed to seek any medical care for him. As a result, the child
did not have adequate nutrition which resulted in his death. The mother was charged with
neglect of a dependent. The mother is still awaiting trial. DCS substantiated death due to
neglect against the mother.
A ten month old child died from the toxic effects of methadone. The mother of the child,
who had a prescription for methadone, stated that she had taken seven or eight pills out
of her prescription bottle and placed them on the coffee table in the living room. The
mother stated that she then went into the kitchen to get a glass of water, leaving the ten
month old child alone in the living room with the methadone pills on the coffee table. The
mother gave conflicting accounts of whether or not she counted the pills upon returning
to the living room but stated that she did not think that the child had taken any of the pills
and had then put the child down for a nap. The mother later found the child unresponsive
in her crib. Autopsy results revealed that the cause of death was methadone toxicity. DCS
substantiated death due to neglect against the mother. No criminal charges were filed.
A five month old child died as a result of encephalomalacia following asphyxia from aspiration of gastric contents. In the months preceding the child’s death the mother sought
emergency care for the child multiple times, stating that the child was having seizures and
had stopped breathing. Although the child was monitored on several occasions, including
a 48 hour hospitalization with EKG monitoring, no evidence of seizure activity was found.
The mother later admitted that she had given the infant numerous doses of Benadryl to
make him sleep and that it was possible that she had given him too much. The mother also
admitted that she had given the child Benadryl on the nights she sought emergency care
for him. The mother had never informed any medical providers that she had given the child
Benadryl. Law enforcement found a large quantity of Benadryl in the home of the mother
along with other diluted medication and a baby syringe. DCS substantiated death due to
neglect, medical neglect, and environment life/health endangering against the mother. No
criminal charges filed.
Department of Child Services / Annual Child Fatality Report / For State Fiscal Year 2014

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 Fatalities Due to Neglect (Cont’d)
A two year old child died as a result of drowning while in the care of his aunt. The child had
been following his aunt and grandfather as they walked around a pond on their property.
Upon discovering that he was following them, the aunt instructed the child to go back
to the house. The aunt did not directly supervise the child as he went back to the house.
A short time later they discovered the child was missing and found him in the pond. The
child was left unsupervised near a body of water which resulted in the child drowning. DCS
substantiated death due to neglect against the child’s aunt. No criminal charges were filed.
A two year old child died as a result of drowning while in the care of his mother. After
returning home from the grocery store, the mother removed the child from his car seat and
began unloading groceries along with her friend who was also present. During this time,
the mother failed to ensure that the child was supervised resulting in the child leaving the
residence and drowning in a nearby open body of water. DCS substantiated death due to
neglect against the mother. No criminal charges were filed.
A thirteen year old child died from multiple traumatic blunt force injuries to the head,
chest, and abdomen as a result of a moped accident. The child was riding the moped
when it was stuck by another vehicle. Although the child was not of legal age to operate
a moped, his mother had given him permission to do so on multiple occasions. The child
was also not wearing a helmet or protective eye gear as required by law. DCS substantiated
death due to neglect against the child’s mother. No criminal charges were filed.
A seven year old child died as a result of drowning while in the care of his uncle. The uncle
had taken the child to a pool party with several other adults and children. The child was
described as a child who was not a risk taker and it was not anticipated that he would go
into the deep end of the pool. At the time of the incident he was not being directly supervised by his uncle. The expectations that the child would not take risks or go into the deep
end of the pool were unrealistic given the child’s age as he was in need of constant, direct
supervision while in and near water. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and lack of
supervision against the uncle. No criminal charges were filed.
A one year child died as a result of drowning while in the care of his mother. The child and
his sibling were outside playing in the yard. The child was found in a pond near the home.
The mother stated that she was on the porch and in and out of the home and on the
phone leaving the children unsupervised. The porch where the mother was sitting did not
have a clear view of the pond. DCS substantiated death due to neglect and lack of supervision against the mother. No criminal charges were filed.

Department of Child Services / Annual Child Fatality Report / For State Fiscal Year 2014

25

 County of Occurrence for Abuse and Neglect Fatalities
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
County Name
Allen
Bartholomew
Clark
Clay
Crawford
Dearborn
Decatur
Delaware
Floyd
Grant
Howard
Huntington
Knox
Kosciusko
LaGrange
Lake
LaPorte
Lawrence
Marion
Martin
Miami
Owen
Perry
Porter
Putnam
Saint Joseph
Sullivan
Tippecanoe
Vanderburgh
Vigo
Washington
Whitley
Totals

Abuse

Neglect

Total

0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
1
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
12

2
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
3
2
2
0
2
2
1
4
2
1
9
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
0
2
54

2
1
2
1
1
2
2
1
3
2
2
1
2
2
1
6
3
1
12
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
4
2
1
1
2
66

27

 Assessment Statistics of Investigations by Other Agencies—All Children
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
State Fiscal Year 2014
Abuse

Neglect

Total

All Child Fatalities

12

54

66

Coroner Cases

12

53

65

Autopsies Performed

11

49

60

Scene investigated by coroner.

4

21

25

Scene investigated by Law Enforcement.

7

43

50

Scene investigated by fire investigator.

1

7

8

Emergency Medical Services was on scene.

9

49

58

* The table above summarizes for all children information of coroner involvements, autopsies
performed, and agency investigations.

28

 Manner and Major Category of Death—All Children
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Manner of Death
Manner of Death
Accident
Homicide
Natural
Undetermined
Total

Count
33
17
6
10
66

Number of Children
35

%
50%
26%
9%
15%
100%

30
25
20
15
10
5
0

Manner of Death by Age
     
Age–Manner of Death
Under one–Accident
Under one–Homicide
Under one–Natural
Under one–Undetermined
1–Accident
1–Homicide
1–Natural
2–Accident
2–Homicide
2–Natural
3–Accident
3–Homicide
3–Undetermined
4–Accident
4–Homicide
5–Accident
6–Homicide
7–Accident
10 to 12–Accident
10 to 12–Accident
13 to 17–Accident
13 to 17–Homicide
13 to 17–Natural
Total

Count

%

5
5
3
8
6
3
1
7
3
1
4
2
2
3
1
1
2
3
1
1
2
1
1
66

8%
8%
5%
12%
9%
5%
2%
11%
5%
2%
6%
3%
3%
5%
2%
2%
3%
5%
2%
2%
3%
2%
2%
100%

Accident

Homicide

Natural

Undetermined

Major Catagory of Death
Major Category of Death
Count
%
From a medical condition
5
8%
From an external cause of injury
61
92%
Total
66
100%
*The categories above were established by the National MCH Center for
Child Death Review and were determined by DCS based on cause
of death.

The “Manner of Death” displayed on this page was obtained
from state death certificates.

29

 Cause of Death—All Children
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Cause of Death
Primary Cause of Death
Count
%
Asphyxia
8
12%
Drowning
14
21%
Exposure
1
2%
Fire, burn, or electrocution
9
14%
Malnutrition/dehydration
1
2%
Motor vehicle and other transport
6
9%
Other
7
11%
Other infection
1
2%
Other medical condition
1
2%
Pneumonia
2
3%
Poisoning, overdose or acute intoxication
4
6%
Weapon, including body part
12
18%
Total
66
100%

Asphyxia
Drowning
Exposure
Fire, Burn, or electrocution
Malnutrition/dehydration
Motor vehicle and other transport
Other infection
Other medical condition
Pneumonia
Poisoning, overdose or acute intoxication
Weapon, including body part
Other

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Number of Children

30

 Abuse Statistics—Demographic Characteristics of the Child
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Age of Child
Age of Child Count
Under one
3
1
3
2
3
3
1
6
1
13 to 17
1
Total
12

%
25%
25%
25%
8%
8%
8%
100%

    

Under one
1
2
3
6
13-17
0

1

2

Number of Children

Race of Child
Race of Child Count
Multi-racial
2
Black, African-American
5
White
5
Total
12

%
17%
42%
42%
100%

Ethnicity of Child
Ethnicity of Child Count
Not Hispanic or Latino
11
Hispanic or Latino
1
Total
12

%
92%
8%
100%

    
Gender of Child
Gender of Child Count
Female
6
Male
6
Total
12
    

31

%
50%
50%
100%

3

 Abuse Statistics—Characteristics of the Case
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Cause of Death
Primary Cause of Death
Asphyxia
Other infection
Pneumonia
Weapon, including body part

Count
2
1
1
8
Total
12

%
17%
8%
8%
67%
100%

Detailed Information of Cause of Death
State Fiscal Year 2014
Detailed Information of Cause of Death
Count
Firearm
1
Medical Condition
2
Person’s body part
7
Suffocation: Other
2
Total
12

%
8%
17%
58%
17%
100%

Type of Abuse
State Fiscal Year 2014
Type of Abuse
Count
Abusive head trauma
6
Asphyxia due to inhalation of soot due to
2
deliberately set house fire
Beating/kicking
5
Intentional gunshot wound
1
Suffocation
1
Total
15
*A child may have experienced more than one type of abuse.

32

%
40%
13%
33%
7%
7%
100%

 Abuse Statistics—Characteristics of the Household
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Location of Incident

Other Children in Household

State Fiscal Year 2014
Location of Incident
Count
Child’s home
6
Friend’s home
2
Relative’s home
3
State or county park
1
Total
12

State Fiscal Year 2014
Other Children in Household
Count
No
2
Yes
10
Total
12

%
50%
17%
25%
8%
100%

%
17%
83%
100%

Caregiver Employment Status
State Fiscal Year 2014
Caregiver 1
Count
Employed
5
On disability
1
Retired
0
Stay-at-home
0
Unemployed
6
Unknown
0
Total
12

State Fiscal Year 2014
Caregiver 2
Count
Employed
3
On disability
0
Retired
0
Stay-at-home
0
Unemployed
6
Unknown
2
Total
11

%
42%
8%
0%
0%
50%
0%
100%

%
27%
0%
0%
0%
55%
18%
100%

Caregiver Education Level
State Fiscal Year 2014
Caregiver 1
Count
Less than high school
1
High school
3
College
0
Post-graduate
0
Unknown
8
Total
12

State Fiscal Year 2014
Caregiver 2
Count
Less than high school
1
High school
1
College
0
Post-graduate
0
Unknown
9
Total
11

%
8%
25%
0%
0%
67%
100%

*Not all children had a secondary caregiver.

33

%
9%
9%
0%
0%
82%
100%

 Abuse Statistics—Characteristics of the Perpetrator
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Age of the Perpetrator

16-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
40-49

State Fiscal Year 2014
Age
Count
1
7
4
3
1
Total
16

Age

%
6%
44%
25%
19%
6%
100%

16-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
40-49

*A child’s death may have been caused by more than one perpetrator.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Number of Children

Relationship of Perpetrator to Child
State Fiscal Year 2014
Relationship
Count
Biological parent
10
Friend
1
Mother’s partner
5
Total
16

%
63%
6%
31%
100%

*A child’s death may have been caused by more than one perpetrator.

Biological parent

Friend

Mother’s partner
2

0

4

6

Number of Perpetrators

Gender of Perpetrator

Female
Male

State Fiscal Year 2014
Gender
Count
6
10
Total
16

%
38%
63%
100%

*A child’s death may have been caused by more than one perpetrator.

34

8

10

1

 Abuse Statistics—Victim Stress Factors
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Victim Stress Factors
State Fiscal Year 2014
Stress Factor
Child had at least one parent who was a first generation Immigrant
Child had history of child maltreatment as victim
Child had history of receiving mental health services
Child had prior disability or chronic illness
Child has been homeless
Child was on medication for mental illness
Residence overcrowded
Total
*A child may have more than one stress factor, if any.

Child had at least one parent who
was a first generation immigrant

Child had history of child
maltreatment as victim

Child had history of receiving
mental health services

Child had prior disaiblity or
chronic illness

Child has been homeless

Child was on medication for
mental illness

Residence overcrowded

0

1

2

Number of Children

35

3

4

Count
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
12

 Abuse Statistics—Caregiver Stress Factors
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Caregiver 1 Stress Factors
State Fiscal Year 2014
Stress Factor
Caregiver education level is less than high school
Caregiver has disability or chronic illness
Caregiver has history of child maltreatment as victim
Caregiver has history of intimate partner violence as victim
Caregiver has history of substance abuse
Caregiver unemployed
Insufficient income
New residence in past 30 days
Residence overcrowded
Total
A caregiver may have had more than one stress factor, if any.

Caregiver education level is
less than high school
Caregiver has disability or
chronic illness
Caregiver has history of
child maltreatment as victim
Caregiver has history of intimate
partner violence as victim
Caregiver has history of
substance abuse
Caregiver unemployed

Insufficient income

New residence in past 30 days

Residence overcrowded

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Number of Children

36

7

8

9

10

Count
1
2
4
3
5
6
9
1
1
32

 Abuse Statistics—Caregiver Stress Factors (Cont’d)
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Caregiver 2 Stress Factors
State Fiscal Year 2014
Stress Factor
Caregiver education level is less than high school
Caregiver has disability or chronic illness
Caregiver has history of child maltreatment as victim
Caregiver has history of intimate partner violence as perpetrator
Caregiver has history of intimate partner violence as victim
Caregiver has history of substance abuse
Caregiver unemployed
Insufficient income
New residence in past 30 days
Residence overcrowded
Total
A caregiver may have had more than one stress factor, if any.

Caregiver education level is
less than high school
Caregiver has disability or
chronic illness
Caregiver has history of
child maltreatment as victim
Caregiver has history of
child maltreatment as perpetrator
Caregiver has history of intimate
partner violence as victim
Caregiver has history of
substance abuse
Caregiver unemployed
Insufficient income

New residence in past 30 days
Residence overcrowded

0

1

2

37

3

4

Number of Children

5

6

7

Count
1
1
1
1
1
6
6
4
1
1
23

 Neglect Statistics—Demographic Characteristics of the Child
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Age of Child
Age of Child Count
Under one
18
1
7
2
8
3
7
4
4
5
1
6
1
7
3
10-12
2
13-17
3
Total
54

%
33%
13%
15%
13%
7%
2%
2%
6%
4%
6%
100%

0

5

10

    
Race of Child
Race of Child Count
not entered
1
Multi-racial
6
Black, African-American
14
White
33
Total
54

%
2%
11%
26%
61%
100%

    
Ethnicity of Child
Ethnicity of Child Count
Hispanic or Latino
1
Not Hispanic or Latino
53
Total
54

%
2%
98%
100%

    
Gender of Child
Gender of Child Count
Female
13
Male
41
Total
54
    

38

%
24%
76%
100%

15

20

 Neglect Statistics—Characteristics of the Case
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Cause of Death
Primary Cause of Death
Count
Asphyxia
6
Drowning
14
Exposure
1
Fire, Burn, or electrocution
9
Malnutrition/dehydration
1
Motor vehicle and other transport
6
Pneumonia
1
Poisoning, overdose or acute intoxication
4
Weapon, including body part
4
Other medical condition
1
Other
7
Total
54

%
11%
26%
2%
17%
2%
11%
2%
7%
7%
2%
13%
100%

Detailed Information of Cause of Death
Detailed Information of Cause of Death
Count
Drowning
14
Exposure: Left in car
1
Fire
9
Firearm
4
Medical Condition
3
Poisoned: Accidental overdose
3
Poisoned: Acute intoxication
1
Strangulation
2
Suffocation
2
Suffocation: Other
2
Vehicle
6
Other
7
Total
54

39

%
26%
2%
17%
7%
6%
6%
2%
4%
4%
4%
11%
13%
100%

 Neglect Statistics—Characteristics of the Case (Cont’d)
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Type of Neglect
Abandonment—live infant placed in dumpster
after being born
Child died after being left in vehicle during hot
weather
Child died due to bacterial pneumonia
Child died due to Benadryl overdose
Child died due to carbon monoxide poisoning
Child died due to complications from Benadryl
overdose
Child died due to failure of daycare staff to
ensure that playground equipment was safe
Child died due to injuries sustained from
mother’s suicide while pregnant
Child died due to methadone toxicity
Child died due to negligent sleep environment
Child died from compression asphyxia due to a
tipped car seat
Child died from emaciation and dehydration
due to untreated Crohn’s disease
Child died in fire at daycare due to provider
forgetting to evacuate child
Child died in fire at home with no caregiver
present
Child died in fire in home with multiple fire
hazards
Child died in fire in home without a sober
caregiver present
Child died in motor vehicle accident
Child drowned in bathtub
Child drowned in canal
Child drowned in collected water on top of
pool covering
Child drowned in lake
Child drowned in pond
Child drowned in pool
Child drowned in river
Child was shot by an adult who failed to handle
a firearm safely
Child was shot by self due to unsecured firearm

Count

Type of Neglect
child was shot by sibling due to firearm not
being stored safely
Failure to provide necessities—appropriate
sleep environment
Failure to provide necessities—child allowed
to unsafely ride in bucket of skid loader
Failure to provide necessities
—child not properly restrained in automobile
Failure to provide necessities—child was
deprived of oxygen due to mother’s suicide
Failure to provide necessities—failure to
ensure child did not have access to methadone
Failure to provide necessities
—failure to supervise while riding ATV
Failure to provide necessities
—inadequate living conditions
Failure to provide necessities
—Infant given Benadryl to sleep
Failure to provide necessities
—lack of sober caregiver
Failure to provide necessities
—lack of sober caregiver/ATV driver
Failure to provide necessities
—mother allowed underage child to operate
a moped on a city street.
Failure to provide necessities
—no electricity in home Gas-powered generator used in home without proper venting
Failure to provide necessities—supervision

%

1

1%

1

1%

1
1
1
1

1%
1%
1%
1%

1

1%

1

1%

2
9
1

2%
8%
1%

1

1%

1

1%

3

3%

3

3%

2

2%

6
1
1
2

6%
1%
1%
2%

2
4
3
1
1

2%
4%
3%
1%
1%

2

2%

Failure to seek/follow treatment
—caregivers did not seek medical care for
child
Failure to seek/follow treatment—failure
to seek medical care when baby was born
Failure to seek/follow treatment
—failure to seek treatment when child
demonstrated difficulty breathing
Failure to seek/follow treatment
—Mother failed to provide medication and
medical treatment for child’s Crohn’s disease
Failure to seek/follow treatment
—Mother withheld info regarding medication
from hospital staff

40

Count

%

1

1%

4

4%

1

1%

2

2%

1

1%

2

2%

1

1%

1

1%

1

1%

7

7%

1

1%

1

1%

1

1%

25
1

23%
1%

1

1%

1

1%

1

1%

1

1%

 Neglect Statistics—Characteristics of the Household
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Location of Incident

Other Children in Household

State Fiscal Year 2014
Location
Child’s home
Father’s vehicle
Friend’s home
Lake
Licensed day care center
Licensed day care home
Neighbor’s pool
Relative’s home
River
Roadway
State or county park
Unlicensed day care home

Count
31
1
6
1
1
2
2
3
1
4
1
1
Total
54

State Fiscal Year 2014
Other Children in Household
Count
No
13
Yes
41
Total
54

%
57%
2%
11%
2%
2%
4%
4%
6%
2%
7%
2%
2%
100%

%
24%
76%
100%

*A child may have experienced neglect inmore than one location.

Caregiver Employment Status
State Fiscal Year 2014
Caregiver 1
Count
Employed
21
On disability
1
Retired
0
Stay-at-home
5
Unemployed
18
Unknown
9
Total
54

State Fiscal Year 2014
Caregiver 2
Count
Employed
24
On disability
0
Retired
1
Stay-at-home
0
Unemployed
12
Unknown
6
Total
43

%
39%
2%
0%
9%
33%
17%
100%

%
56%
0%
2%
0%
28%
14%
100%

Caregiver Education Level
State Fiscal Year 2014
Caregiver 1
Count
Less than high school
6
High school
17
College
6
Post-graduate
0
Unknown
25
Total
54

State Fiscal Year 2014
Caregiver 2
Count
Less than high school
7
High school
7
College
2
Post-graduate
0
Unknown
27
Total
43

%
11%
31%
11%
0%
46%
100%

*Not all children had a secondary caregiver.

41

%
16%
16%
5%
0%
63%
100%

 Neglect Statistics—Characteristics of the Perpetrator
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Age of Perpetrator

16-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-49
50+

Age of Perpetrator

State Fiscal Year 2014
Age
Count
1
13
25
13
5
8
4
Total Perpetrators
69

Number of Perpetrators
25

%
1%
19%
36%
19%
7%
12%
6%
100%

20
15
10
5
0

16-19

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-49

50+

Age

*A child’s death may have been caused by more than one perpetrator.

Relationship of Perpetrator to Child
State Fiscal Year 2014
Relationship
Count
Babysitter
1
biological parent
53
Day Care Owner
1
Grandparent
5
Licensed child
4
Mother’s partner
2
Other relative
3
Total
69

Relationship
%
1%
77%
1%
7%
6%
3%
4%
100%

Babysitter

Biological parent

Day Care Owner

Grandparent

*A child’s death may have been caused by more than one perpetrator.
Licensed child

Mother’s partner

Gender of Perpetrator

Female
Male

State Fiscal Year 2014
Gender
Count
46
23
Total
69

Other relative

%
67%
33%
100%

0

6

12

18

24

30

36

42

Number of Perpetrators

*A child’s death may have been caused by more than one perpetrator.

42

48

54

60

 Neglect Statistics—Victim Stress Factors
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Victim Stress Factors
Stress Factor
Child was acutely ill in the two weeks before death
Child had history of child maltreatment as victim
Child had history of receiving mental health services
Child had history of substance abuse
Child had prior disability or chronic illness
Child had problems in school
Child was receiving mental health services
Residence overcrowded

Count
3
4
1
1
3
1
1
5
Total
19

*A child may have more than one stress factor, if any.

Child was acutely ill in the two weeks before death
Child had history of child maltreatment as victim
Child had history of receiving mental health services
Child had history of substance abuse
Child had prior disability or chronic illness
Child had problems in school
Child was receiving mental health services
Residence overcrowded

0

1

2

3

Number of Children

43

4

5

 Neglect Statistics—Caregiver Stress Factors
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Caregiver 1 Stress Factors
State Fiscal Year 2014
Stress Factor
Caregiver education level is less than high school
Caregiver has disability or chronic illness
Caregiver has history of child maltreatment as victim
Caregiver has history of intimate partner violence as perpetrator
Caregiver has history of intimate partner violence as victim
Caregiver has history of substance abuse
Caregiver unemployed
Insufficient income
New residence in past 30 days
Residence overcrowded
Total
A caregiver may have had more than one stress factor, if any.

Caregiver education level is
less than high school
Caregiver has disability or
chronic illness
Caregiver has history of
child maltreatment as victim
Caregiver has history of intimate
partner violence as perpetrator
Caregiver has history of intimate
partner violence as victim
Caregiver has history of
substance abuse
Caregiver unemployed
Insufficient income
New residence in past 30 days

Residence overcrowded

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
Number of Children

44

Count
6
2
6
1
12
19
18
30
2
5
101

 Neglect Statistics—Caregiver Stress Factors (Cont’d)
(For State Fiscal Year 2014)
Caregiver 21 Stress Factors
State Fiscal Year 2014
Stress Factor
Caregiver education level is less than high school
Caregiver has disability or chronic illness
Caregiver has history of child maltreatment as victim
Caregiver has history of intimate partner violence as perpetrator
Caregiver has history of intimate partner violence as victim
Caregiver has history of substance abuse
Caregiver unemployed
Insufficient income
New residence in past 30 days
Residence overcrowded
Total
A caregiver may have had more than one stress factor, if any.

Caregiver education level is
less than high school
Caregiver has disability or
chronic illness
Caregiver has history of
child maltreatment as victim
Caregiver has history of intimate
partner violence as perpetrator
Caregiver has history of intimate
partner violence as victim
Caregiver has history of
substance abuse
Caregiver unemployed
Insufficient income
New residence in past 30 days

Residence overcrowded

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Number of Children

45

Count
7
2
1
9
2
16
12
16
2
5
72

  

State of Indiana
Department of Child Services