An Indiana couple has been arrested on felony neglect charges after authorities allege their 8-month-old daughter was discovered severely malnourished and locked alone in a bedroom for hours while they slept. The Jennings County Sheriff’s Office detailed the allegations in a press release following an investigation that led to the pair’s arrest on November 5.
According to detectives, the infant was found to be suffering from severe malnourishment, hygiene-related neglect, dermatitis, and developmental delays. The child reportedly weighed approximately 9 pounds at the time authorities intervened — an alarming metric that prompted urgent medical and law enforcement response.
What Authorities Allege
Detectives with the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office say the case began to take shape after interviews with medical professionals and Department of Child Services (DCS) caseworkers, as well as conversations with other children living in the home. Investigators allege that the parents, identified as 25-year-old Benjamin Joseph Tackett and 25-year-old Kayla Therese Thompson, admitted during questioning that they had "knowingly" neglected their daughter.
Per the sheriff’s office, Tackett and Thompson told detectives that exhaustion after work led them to lock the infant in a separate bedroom for long stretches so they could sleep. Authorities say the couple described periods of approximately 10 hours at a time when the child was left behind a closed door overnight.
The press release outlines a timeline shaped by consultations with doctors and DCS personnel, who helped document the child’s health status. Investigators cited severe dermatitis and signs of developmental delay along with malnourishment, reinforcing the seriousness of the allegations. While officials did not specify how long the alleged neglect had been occurring, they emphasized that multiple sources contributed to the case file before arrests were made.
How The Case Reached Investigators
The investigation began when the Indiana Department of Child Services contacted the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office with concerns about the child’s welfare. That outreach initiated a coordinated inquiry that included medical evaluations and interviews at the family’s home in North Vernon, Indiana.
Authorities say Tackett and Thompson were taken into custody on November 5. Other children living in the residence were removed by DCS and placed with appropriate caregivers. Officials did not disclose how many children were in the home, nor did they detail whether those minors showed signs of neglect. Their identities have not been released.
Law enforcement noted that, beyond the reported admissions from the parents, documentation from healthcare professionals played a central role in assessing the infant’s condition. Detectives also spoke with Department of Child Services caseworkers who had been monitoring the situation, building a clearer picture of daily routines inside the home.
A hearing in the case is scheduled for November 13. At this stage, the charges remain allegations, and Tackett and Thompson are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Charges, Next Steps, And Due Process
Both Tackett and Thompson face felony neglect counts, including neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury. That charge reflects the severity of the alleged harm and carries significant legal consequences if a conviction is reached. Authorities have not released additional details about potential bond conditions or the couple’s legal representation.
According to court records reviewed by Law&Crime, neither individual had previously been charged with a crime in Indiana before this arrest. The sheriff’s office has not announced further arrests in connection with the case, and there has been no indication of additional suspects.
In cases involving alleged child neglect, it’s standard for agencies like DCS to work closely with law enforcement and medical professionals. That collaboration helps document health indicators and establish timelines, particularly when an infant’s condition suggests prolonged issues with nutrition or care. The Jennings County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that its findings are rooted in interviews, medical assessments, and statements collected during the course of the investigation.
As the case proceeds, the November 13 hearing will likely set the stage for future developments, including potential pretrial motions and any additional disclosures from prosecutors. The sheriff’s office has not released the names of the medical practitioners involved or the specific facilities where the child received care, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation and privacy considerations.
For now, the child’s immediate safety rests with state authorities and caregivers designated by DCS. No timeline has been provided for the conclusion of the investigation or any determinations regarding long-term custody arrangements for the children removed from the home.
Screen Rant will update this story as new information becomes available from court proceedings or official statements.
