Indianapolis (TCD) — Police recently arrested the 29-year-old mother and her 27-year-old boyfriend on multiple charges in connection with the neglect, malnutrition and death of the 5-year-old girl.
According to a news release from the Indianapolis Police Department, on Tuesday, April 9, at approximately 5:12 p.m., officers responded to the 6500 block of Denver Drive, where 5-year-old Kinsleigh Welty was found unconscious and malnourished. It turns out that it is. Paramedics transported Welty to Riley Children's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
After further investigation, police arrested the victim's mother, Tony McClure, 29, on Wednesday, April 10, on charges of murder and child neglect resulting in death. Police also arrested McClure's boyfriend, 27-year-old Ryan Smith, on suspicion of child neglect resulting in death.
The victim's mother initially blamed Smith for the abuse suffered by Welty, but later admitted to harming her daughter, according to court records reviewed by WXIN-TV. She obviously knew what she was doing was wrong, but she was indifferent about it.
Police say a small closet inside the house was full of feces. McClure forced Welty to stay in the closet, which he blocked. She said the girl had feces on her hair and feet, and lice on her face and head.
At the time of his death, Welty weighed less than when he was 2 years old, WXIN reported.
McClure reportedly failed to properly feed Welty, who often said he was hungry. According to WXIN, McClure told her officials she was worried her daughter would eventually die as a result of her actions, but she did not want it to affect her own life.
McClure's boyfriend told police the victim had been locked in a closet since Thanksgiving and didn't come out often. Smith knew her child was losing weight, but she loved McClure so she couldn't call 911, WXIN reported.
According to police, the Indiana Department of Children's Services took custody of the other children in the home.
Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey said: “The circumstances of Kinsley's death are horrific and incomprehensible. No human being, let alone a child, should be treated like she was. Her alleged suspects should never be out of prison if convicted.”
Court documents reviewed by WXIN before the most recent arrest show that in 2018, Welty suffered from stunted growth and McClure was charged with neglect as a result. She received more than 400 days of probation in the case.
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