Fort Wayne woman charged with neglect, causing death
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Fort Wayne’s NBC) - A 24-year-old Fort Wayne woman has been charged with six counts of neglect of a dependent after a child in her care died.
Court documents say police were called to an apartment on May 1 for reports of a child not breathing. First responders pronounced the child dead at the scene.
Documents say officers reported an “overwhelming” smell of urine coming from the apartment, numerous cats inside along with sticky floors, dirty dishes piled high, and full garbage bags throughout the apartment.
Documents note that there was breathing equipment in the home, and DCS advised there was a previous allegation that the children in the home were not provided proper medical care.
Police say they spoke with Madyson Conley, who said she and Byron Hines were the caregivers for the four children who lived in the home.
Conley said she last checked on the victim around 4:30 a.m., and when she woke up later around 12:30 p.m., she said the child was unconscious. She told police that the child had Cystic Fibrosis and said there was a flu bug going around the house.
Documents say the child had a special high-frequency vest that is used as part of the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, but that the victim didn’t like it so she didn’t use it. DCS said they conducted an investigation in 2021 and created a treatment plan for the children that both caretakers signed off on.
Court documents say an autopsy found that the child’s death was preventable “if proper medical care had been provided”, noting neglect. Conley is preliminarily charged with several counts of neglect, including neglect resulting in death.
Copyright 2022 Fort Wayne's NBC. All rights reserved.
