A mom and grandmother in Indiana were arrested after they allegedly neglected a 1-year-old baby to the point where their diaper was filled with garbage that caused a bad rash.
Jasmine Duff and Shara Stevens reportedly let Duff’s baby wear a diaper that had trash and bugs found inside of it, according to court documents obtained by WXIN.
Duff, 34, and Stevens, 52, were arrested on Monday, June 29, and are each facing a preliminary charge of neglect of a dependent, per the outlet. They are currently being held in custody at the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Jail.
Authorities learned of the neglect when they received a report about the child and their living conditions on Friday, June 26.
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Officers with the Muncie Police Department reported to the home around 1:45 p.m. to assist with a Department of Child Services investigation that had already been launched. It’s not currently clear how the DCS became aware of the alleged neglect or how long their investigation had been going on for.
Upon their arrival, officers found Stevens and the child inside the residence.
DCS workers examined the child and found an intense red diaper rash that the workers described as “the wors[t] they have ever seen,” according to the court documents.
Investigators questioned both Duff and Stevens, and the two women said the child had the rash for approximately one week. The women went on to allege that they believed the child got the rash because they used generic diapers that were bad quality.
A babysitter in Indiana was arrested after she allegedly hit a 7-month-old boy in the face, which severely injured him and caused him to experience brain bleeding. The Fort Wayne Police Department confirmed that Emily Duran was accused of neglect of a dependent, which resulted in serious bodily injury and battery to a child under […]
Following the questioning, authorities determined there was sufficient evidence to arrest both Duff and Stevens. The two women were then taken into custody on allegations of neglect.
Both of their bonds were set at $5,000 with a 10 percent cash provision. It is not currently clear if either Duff or Stevens have entered pleas in light of their arrests.
The Muncie Police Department did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment regarding the case.
In the state of Indiana, those found guilty of neglect of a dependent can receive sentences ranging from a few months in jail to decades in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the severity of the case.
The investigation into the case remains ongoing.
WXIN reported that the women are facing a Level 5 Felony, which is applied when the alleged neglect results in bodily injury and takes place in a location associated with dealing or manufacturing drugs, according to Justia Law.
