Southern Indiana woman charged in death of boyfriend's 2-year-old
Indiana State Police have arrested a woman in connection to the death of a 2-year-old girl.
Police said the death happened around midnight on Tuesday at a home on Poplar Street in Washington County. Officials responded to a 911 call for an unresponsive child.
The 2-year-old, named Misty, was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital in Salem, where she was pronounced dead. Officers said they got a search warrant after speaking with Sarah Bierly, the father's live-in girlfriend, and other family members.
Bierly, 30, of Pekin, was taken to the Washington County Sheriff's Office where she was interviewed by Indiana State Police detectives. A short time later, she was arrested for neglect of a dependent causing death, a level 1 felony. Investigators said Misty had been in her care.
Jasmine Hardin, the child's aunt told WLKY, "She didn’t even call the cops immediately. She called the neighbor because she was so scared she was going to go to jail. She was so selfish and let that child lay there unresponsive and did not call the police until almost an hour later."
In fact, she and her husband, Albert Hardin, were there as first responders tried to save the little girl.
"We saw my niece lifeless at the door and they’re doing CPR on her and then they quit and we watched them carry her lifeless body out to the ambulance last night," Albert Hardin said.
While Indiana State Police have not said much about the circumstances surrounding the girl's death they did promise justice.
"As a father, as a human it cuts right to your heart and when you have a 2-year-old little girl who can’t speak now, can’t say what was going on in her life, it’s our job to give her a voice," Sgt. Carey Huls said.
A fund that will help cover the costs of the child's funeral has been set up at First Harrison Bank, 1312 South Jackson Street, Salem, Indiana 47167. Those interested in donating should mention the "Misty McDowell burial fund."
According to State Police, their investigation is ongoing and more charges are possible.