Two parents from Indiana are currently in custody following the tragic death of their toddler, who was found in a closet heated by a space heater in late November, as reported by local law enforcement. The parents, Sintia Perez, 21, and Jace Hirschy, 23, are each facing charges of neglect resulting in death and two counts of neglect of a dependent.
The unfortunate incident took place between the evening of November 26 and the afternoon of November 27, as per the Berne Police Department. On the day before Thanksgiving, at approximately 3:30 p.m., officers were called to the Swiss Meadows apartment complex in Berne, a small town about 35 miles south of Fort Wayne.
Upon arrival, officers found the apartment in a state of severe disrepair, according to court documents. The apartment was reportedly filled with garbage, making it difficult to move around. A pot with mold and flies was found on the stove, and the sink was filled with dirty dishes. The officers also reported the presence of cockroaches in the apartment.
The bedrooms were no better, with filthy blankets and bedding, especially in the young victim’s room. An officer described the toddler’s crib mattress as “very soiled,” with a dirty diaper and feces found in a corner of the closet. The officer also noted a significant heat difference when entering the closet.
The temperature in the apartment and on some surfaces ranged from 84 degrees to a staggering 109 degrees. The toddler’s body temperature was recorded at 109.4 degrees on her chest and 108.8 degrees on her forehead. An autopsy later confirmed the cause of death as hyperthermia, or overheating.
During an interview, the child’s mother reportedly stated that she had put the child to bed around 7 p.m. the previous night, turned on a space heater, and partially closed the door. She admitted to waking up late the next day, around 12:30 p.m., and said that neither parent checked on the child until after 3 p.m. The child’s body was also found to be discolored, with her head described as “darkly discolored.”
Two other children, aged 3 and 5, were also living in the apartment. They were found to be infested with lice and living in “extremely unhealthy” conditions. They are now under the care of the Department of Child Services.
Both Perez and Hirschy were arrested immediately and made their first joint court appearance this week. They are currently being held in the Adams County Jail and are scheduled for a pretrial conference on February 14, 2025, with a jury trial set for March 7, 2025.