Indiana – In a harrowing incident in Indiana, a 20-year-old pregnant woman, identified as A. Ring, is facing grave charges after allegedly inflicting life-threatening injuries on her 1-year-old daughter. Ring was arrested and charged with domestic battery and neglect of a dependent after her actions nearly resulted in the death of her young child.
The ordeal unfolded on the evening of November 19, 2024, when police received a distressing call about an unresponsive child at a residence where Ring lived with her boyfriend. Responders rushed to the scene around 5:25 p.m. and immediately transported the child to a local hospital. Upon examination, medical experts determined the toddler had suffered severe cranial injuries necessitating emergency surgery to alleviate brain pressure. The doctors also noted multiple marks on the child’s body, indicative of abuse.
During a detailed interrogation, Ring reportedly confessed to the assault on her daughter. According to police reports, the incident occurred earlier that day when the child, distressed by an ill-fitting diaper, began to cry incessantly. Overwhelmed and unable to cope with the noise, Ring admitted that the baby’s cries “set her off,” and her frustration reached a breaking point. She described how she handled the child roughly, culminating in “throwing her” into a Pack ‘n Play, a type of playpen.
Initially, Ring tried to justify the action by claiming her pregnancy impeded her ability to gently place the child in the playpen, suggesting that she accidentally dropped her. She also recounted another instance where she placed the child on the floor too close to a cabinet, resulting in the toddler falling and hitting her head against a metal piece, which caused the visible forehead injuries.
Further compounding the severity of the case is Ring’s significant delay in seeking medical help for her daughter. According to the release, the child showed alarming symptoms of distress, including lethargy and periods of lost consciousness, long before emergency services were contacted. Ring waited until her boyfriend returned from work and discussed the child’s worsening condition before finally deciding to call 911, more than three hours after the initial incident.
Currently held at the county’s jail, Ring’s bond is set at a cash-only $15,000. The court has strictly prohibited any contact between her and her daughter, underscoring the severity of the charges against her. Her preliminary court appearance is scheduled for early next week, on November 25.
This case has not only highlighted the dire consequences of parental neglect and abuse but also raised questions about the support systems available to parents struggling with mental health and caregiving stresses. The community and local authorities are now grappling with how such tragedies can be prevented in the future and what measures can be taken to protect the most vulnerable from such devastating harm.
