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Two Indiana parents have been arrested after the tragic death of their toddler, who died from overheating in a closet heated by a space heater, police report. Sintia Perez, 21, and Jace Hirschy, 23, each face charges of neglect resulting in death and two counts of neglect of a dependent child.
Tragic Death of Toddler in Indiana Apartment
The incident occurred between November 26 and November 27, at the Swiss Meadows apartment complex in Berne, Indiana, a small town about 35 miles south of Fort Wayne. At 3:30 p.m. on the day before Thanksgiving, Berne Police responded to the apartment and found the living conditions in a state of disarray.
Officers noted that the apartment was filled with garbage, and the air was thick with the smell of mold and rotting food. A pot of moldy food was found on the stove, dishes were piled up in the sink, and cockroaches were reportedly present. The conditions inside the bedrooms were equally disturbing, with the toddler’s crib mattress being heavily soiled.
Tragic Discovery in Closet
Police officers discovered the child’s body in a closet, which was unusually hot compared to the rest of the apartment. Investigators later measured temperatures inside the apartment ranging from 84 to 109 degrees Fahrenheit. The child’s body temperature was 109.4 degrees at her chest and 108.8 degrees at her forehead. An autopsy confirmed the cause of death as hyperthermia (overheating).
Allegations of Neglect and Poor Living Conditions
Perez, the child’s mother, told police that she had put the toddler to bed at 7 p.m. on the night before her death and had left a space heater on in the room, partially closing the door. She admitted to not checking on her child until around 3 p.m. the next day.
The toddler’s body was described as discolored, with her head being “darkly discolored.” Additionally, two other children in the home, ages 3 and 5, were found living in extremely unhealthy conditions, suffering from lice infestations. They are now in the care of the Department of Child Services.
Legal Proceedings and Arrests
Perez and Hirschy were arrested immediately following the investigation. Both appeared in court this week for their first hearing. The couple is currently being held in the Adams County Jail. A pretrial conference is scheduled for February 14, 2025, and the jury trial is set for March 7, 2025.
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