Two Indiana women are behind bars following an investigation into the severe medical neglect of a 1-year-old child. Jasmine Duff, 34, and Shara Stevens, 52, were arrested Friday afternoon in Muncie, Indiana, after local police and child welfare advocates uncovered what was described as a case of extreme physical neglect.
Officers with the Muncie Police Department were dispatched shortly before 1:45 p.m. to a residence on the 1700 block of East Princeton Avenue. They were called to assist the Department of Child Services (DCS) with an ongoing investigation regarding the child’s living conditions. Upon arrival, authorities located Stevens and the toddler inside the home.
According to court documents, DCS workers examined the 1-year-old and uncovered an intensely red, severe diaper rash. In official reports, the welfare workers described the child’s rash as “the worst they have ever seen.”
Court records further reveal that the youngster was wearing a diaper that contained trash and bugs.
Investigators questioned both Duff, the mother, and Stevens, the grandmother, regarding the toddler’s condition. The two women stated that the severe rash had been present for approximately one week. However, they deflected responsibility for the medical emergency, telling investigators they believed the injury had been caused by “the use of generic diapers and the quality of the diapers.”
Authorities determined there was sufficient evidence of criminal behavior to bypass their explanations. The Muncie Police Department took both women into custody on site.
Duff and Stevens each face a preliminary charge of neglect of a dependent, which constitutes a Level 5 felony under Indiana law. They are currently being held at the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Jail.
Online court records indicate that the bond for each woman has been set at $5,000 with a 10% cash provision. Both suspects remained locked up as of Monday, and information regarding their upcoming court appearances has not yet been released.
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