Indianapolis, IN – Indiana mom and dad, later identified as 21-year-old Syntia and 23-year-old Jacce, were taken into custody this week and later charged with neglect resulting in death of a dependant in connection with their child’s death last week. The Indiana Department of Child Services also removed the parents’ two other children, 3 and 5, from their custody following the fatal incident at the family home. Authorities say the mom and dad put their 2-year-old child to sleep at around 7 p.m. the previous night and neither of the parents checked the child until 3 p.m. the next day.
The child was placed in her crib, in the main bedroom’s closet, where she usually sleeps. Authorities say the parents put the child to sleep with a space heater turned to the max only to find her dead the following day, when they checked on the child nearly 22 hours later. Authorities in Indiana reported that an autopsy later determined the child died of hyperthermia, the condition of having a body temperature greatly above normal, local news outlet WANE reported.
The investigation process began after the parents called 911 and told the dispatcher that their child was not responsive. The responding officers stated that the family home was filled with trash and dirty dishes. The parents’ two other children were removed from the home by CPS services because they were found to be living in extremely unhealthy conditions. The responding officers found the 2-year-old victim, ZaeIynn, in a closet on a soiIed mattress. The child was pronounced dead at the scene. The responding officers then measured the temperature of the room, which was around 109 degrees. The responding officers also found a space heater which had been left on for 21 hours, the parents said.
The medical examiner told investigators that the child died of hyperthermia. During an interview with investigators, the mom (SEE PHOTO) and dad (SEE PHOTO) reportedly said that they put the child to bed around 7 p.m. and turned the heater all the way up. According to the police officials, neither parent checked on the toddler until after 3 p.m. when they found her dead and called 911. Both parents are being held at the county jail and their next court appearance is scheduled for March 7, 2025, court records say.
