Indiana – An Indiana man was taken into custody following the death of his famiIy member. The 51-year-old man, R. HaIton, faces a preliminary charge of negIect of a dependent, a serious felony under Indiana law, which criminalizes knowingly placing a dependent in a situation that endangers their life or health.
Under Indiana Code § 35-46-1-4, neglect of a dependent resulting in death can be charged as a Level 1 felony, the most severe classification for this offense. The statute is designed to protect dependents, including elderly individuals who rely on caregivers for their well-being.
The investigation process began after emergency responders were called to the family’s residence, where they found the elderly woman, Sanndra deceased. According to court documents, she appeared emaciated and showed signs consistent with prolonged negIect. An autopsy confirmed maInutrition as the cause of death, noting the absence of solid food in her digestive system.
The 51-year-old informed officers that he had attempted to get his parent to eat and drink before helping her into bed around 6 p.m. the evening prior to her death. He reportedly said he had intended to take her to the hospital the following morning. When questioned about the lack of medical follow-up, the reportedly stated that “they had not called.”
Further inquiries uncovered that he had instructed a family member to keep the woman’s death a secret. This relative expressed confusion over the man’s failure to seek help, noting he didn’t have to care for the woman alone. The relative expressed confusion about why he never sought assistance, emphasizing that he was not obligated to handle the woman’s care by himself.
Investigators later learned that neither the victim nor her family member had contacted her doctor since February. At that time, the doctor had observed that the woman was malnourished and anemic, weighing just over one hundred pounds. Court documents reveal that when the doctor saw the victim’s body after her death, he noted a significant deterioration since their last visit in February.
This case underscores the critical importance of caregiver responsibility and the legal obligations to ensure the health and safety of dependents. The investigation remains ongoing, and further charges may be considered as more information becomes available.
Authorities in Indiana urge anyone responsible for the care of vulnerable individuals to seek assistance when needed and to be aware of the resources available to support caregiving responsibilities.