Honk News (Muncie, IN) – Authorities in Indiana responded to a residence after neighbors reported the sound of infants crying, despite their mother being incarcerated nearby.
Local reports indicate that authorities were dispatched following notifications in the early morning of March 12 regarding a vehicle collision with a pole at an intersection in Muncie. Authorities reported that 32-year-old Sandra Henriquez was found inside the vehicle, allegedly slurring her speech.
Upon spotting a car seat in the vehicle, officers inquired with Henriquez about the presence of any children. At 7:22 a.m., she allegedly stated that she had “no dependents.”
Approximately thirty minutes later, she informed the personnel at the Delaware County Jail that she indeed had children, but was “unwilling” to disclose her home address, as per documents acquired by the Muncie Star Press.
In the meantime, authorities from the Muncie Police Department attended to reports from nearby residents of Henriquez, who stated they heard the sound of babies crying coming from a residence at approximately 2:22 p.m. that same day.
Court documents reveal that law enforcement entered the residence and discovered two infants — one aged 1 year and the other just 9 days — both in extremely dirty diapers.
The records indicated that the infant exhibited symptoms of malnutrition, such as bluish extremities and lips. The older baby was said to be in good health. Both infants were quickly taken to the hospital for care, and the newborn was said to have received treatment via a feeding tube.
Authorities have allegedly discovered multiple open beer cans along with a dog confined in a cage lacking food and water.
According to WXIN, Henriquez was moved to the Criminal Investigation Division for an interview by 3 p.m. According to reports, she informed the authorities that she visited a bar named Big Shots Pub at approximately 12:30 a.m. that morning after consuming a 6-pack of 16 oz. cans of Budweiser. Henriquez reportedly confessed to leaving her two infants at home.
Henriquez is currently confronted with initial charges that include neglect of a dependent leading to serious bodily harm, abandonment, two instances of neglect of a dependent, and obstruction of justice.
She remains detained at the Delaware County Jail with a bond set at $42,500.