Indianapolis, Indiana – A tragic incident unfolded in an Indianapolis home resulting in the death of 5-year-old Kinsleigh Welty, leading to the arrest of her mother, Toni McClure, and McClure’s boyfriend, Ryan Smith. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a call reporting an unresponsive child in their residence on Denver Drive on the city’s southwest side.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered the malnourished child, who was rushed to Riley Hospital for Children but tragically pronounced dead. An investigation was initiated by Child Abuse detectives, with Child Services intervening to ensure the safety of other children found in the home while forensic teams gathered evidence.
McClure, aged 29, and Smith, aged 27, have been charged with Child Neglect Resulting in Death. McClure faces an additional charge of felony murder. The Marion County Coroner’s Office will determine the exact cause and manner of Welty’s death.
This devastating incident sheds light on the importance of vigilance in safeguarding the well-being of children and the consequences of neglect. The community is left reeling from the loss of a young life, and the arrests of the child’s mother and her boyfriend serve as a stark reminder of the responsibility adults have in ensuring the safety and welfare of children under their care.
As the investigation unfolds, details surrounding the circumstances leading to Welty’s tragic death will continue to surface. The Indianapolis community mourns the loss of the young child and hopes for justice to prevail in holding those responsible for her neglect accountable.