Indiana State News

Home being built by high school students burglarized on Indy's west side

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 03:14:59 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — Police are trying to identify a man who was caught on surveillance cameras breaking into a home on the city's west side Tuesday night.

It's believed the burglar snapped the latches on a window and forced it open. He was able to climb in and can be seen loading up a trash bag with construction materials and some tools.

"By the time [police] arrived on scene the suspect had already fled," Lisa Bentley with Indy Gateway said.

Video Provided

The home is being built by students from the nearby Area 31 career center as part of a partnership with the non-profit Indy Gateway.

"The house is built throughout a school year," Bentley said. "At the end of the school year when the house is complete, we put it on the market with a realtor and then the house is sold and the community is revitalized a little bit."

The proceeds from the sale are put towards the building for next year's students but that money is dwindling.

This isn't the first time the home has been broken into. In March, someone broke in and ripped out the home's wiring and pipes causing thousands of dollars in damage.

"When we have instances where houses are broken into and we have replacement cost or have to fix things due to damage, every time we do that it's taking away from that fund," Bentley said.

Because of the setbacks, the home will likely not be finished by the end of the school year as they had originally planned.

Bentley said these crimes have not only affected their bottom line but also the students who've put so much work into the project.

"They are here trying to do work to better the community and it just is disrespectful to them," Bentley said. "I'm sure it's frustrating when they put in the time and the effort and someone comes in to take advantage."

Bentley is hoping someone recognizes the man or may have additional video of him that can be provided to police.

Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 317-262-TIPS.

IMPD: 1 dead, 1 critical after shooting on Indy's near north side

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 03:11:16 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis metro police are investigating after a man was killed and a woman was critically injured in a shooting on the city's near north side Wednesday night.

Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were dispatched around 6:58 p.m. to the 3300 block of Graceland Avenue in response to a shots fired run. IMPD Night Watch Capt. Don Weilhammer said police were informed while en route to the shooting that children were seen outside crying.

IMPD said officers arrived and found a man inside a residence in the area who was pronounced dead at the scene while a woman was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. IMPD confirmed shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday that detectives are investigating the incident as a possible murder-suicide attempt. However, that has not been confirmed at this time of writing.

Capt. Weilhammer said preliminary information indicates some type of disturbance happened beforehand but it remains unclear what exactly led to the deadly shooting. Weilhammer confirmed that the children were in the area when the shooting occurred. They were not injured and are currently with relatives.

The Indiana Department of Child Services also responded to the scene to assist officers. Weilhammer also added that the children will be interviewed at IMPD headquarters.

IMPD added that there is no current threat to the neighborhood and that police are not looking for any suspects at this time.

A firearm was recovered from the scene, according to IMPD.

Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact Det. Shem Ragsdale at 317- 327-2475.

The shooting remains under investigation.

This is a developing story and more information will be added as it becomes available.

'Horrific': Indy mother charged in 5-year-old's murder had prior neglect conviction

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 03:11:03 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis mother, now charged with murder, and her live-in boyfriend have been arrested after police say a 5-year-old girl died a "horrific" death this week.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department announced Wednesday that Toni McClure and Ryan Smith had been arrested the day prior after officers found McClure's 5-year-old daughter Kinsleigh Welty unresponsive at their home.

Kinsleigh's death

IMPD officers were called just before 5:15 p.m. Tuesday to the 6500 block of Denver Drive, a residential area on the city's southwest side, on a report of an unresponsive child.

Upon arrival, officers reportedly found an unresponsive 5-year-old girl inside the house. The child, later identified by the Marion County Coroner’s Officer as Kinsleigh Welty, "immediately appeared to be malnourished," IMPD said.

Soon after, Wayne Township Emergency Medical Services drove the child to Riley Hospital for Children where she was unfortunately pronounced deceased.

Child Abuse detectives came to the hospital and the home to start an investigation. Child Services also responded and took custody of other children found inside the home, according to IMPD.

Department officials said that forensic teams are actively working to gather evidence from the scene. The Marion County Coroner’s Office will soon determine the exact manner and cause of Welty's death.

After consulting with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, IMPD arrested McClure, 29, and Smith, 27, and charged them with Child Neglect Resulting in Death. In addition to the neglect charge, McClure is also charged with felony murder. Mugshots will be made available Thursday.

In a statement sent Wednesday, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey called the death "horrific." To read his full statement scroll to the bottom of this article.

Previous neglect

Previous court documents show that in December of 2018, police in Mooresville visited a home occupied by McClure and several children in the 400 block of Churchill Drive after it was reported that the mother was having a medical issue.

MPD said officers did not find McClure, who had already been taken to a hospital, at the house. However, one officer did find "one of the worst living conditions [they'd] ever seen" and a "repulsive sight."

Inside the residence were two juveniles, a 1-year-old and a 3-week-old, whose diapers were completely full. The kids reportedly were running and crawling around on a floor covered in dirt, trash and cigarette butts. Near the children were a "filthy couch, dirty mattress and full ashtray."

Police responding to McClure's home said it appeared that the children had been "playing with old potatoes" and were within reach of moldy food and sharp scissors.

"It appeared the trash had never been taken out," the responding officer wrote. "Nats were flying all over the kitchen and living room."

In the bathroom, MPD noted that it appeared feces had never been cleaned from the toilet. Rooms were described as "hazardous nightmares for an adult, let alone a toddler and newborn."

At that point, officers contacted Child Services to respond to the scene. When McClure was informed that DCS was at her house, she reportedly began "freaking out."

When observing the 3-week-old girl, police noticed that she was shaking and appeared malnourished. Doctors later observed the newborn and said she was in a "failure to thrive" state and had somehow lost weight in her first 3 weeks of life. She reportedly had "filth on her head and little hands," court docs show.

After further investigation and involvement from DCS, McClure was arrested and charged with four counts of neglect of a dependent. Court documents show that at the same time, a man named Bradley Welty was also charged with two counts of neglect.

Online court records show that McClure pled guilty to one count of neglect in May of 2020 and subsequently had her other three charges dismissed. She was then sentenced to 900 days in jail.

However, 858 days of McClure's sentence was suspended and she was ordered to serve 540 days of probation.

Reaction

On Wednesday night, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey released the following statement on Welty's death:

"My heart breaks knowing what Kinsleigh went through in her short life and how she left this world.

The circumstances of Kinsleigh’s death are horrific and beyond comprehension. No human being, let alone a child should be treated like she was. These alleged suspects, if convicted, should never step foot outside of a prison.

I am so thankful for the officers, detectives, crime scene personnel, emergency room personnel, coroner’s office officials, and deputy prosecutors for their steadfast dedication to the innocent. What they see and hear every day most of us could not endure. They are truly special people. I pray Kinsleigh has found internal peace and for her siblings who will need a lot of love and care in the coming days, months, and years."

No other information was immediately provided by IMPD regarding Welty's death or the ensuing arrests. The department said mugshots of McClure and Smith will be released Thursday.