Berne, IN– Authorities in Indiana have arrested two parents following the tragic death of their toddler, who was found in a closet heated by a space heater late last month.
Sintia Perez, 21, and Jace Hirschy, 23, are both charged with one count of neglect leading to death and two counts of neglect concerning a dependent.
A tragic event took place during the night of Nov. 26 and the afternoon of Nov. 27, as reported by the Berne Police Department.
On the afternoon prior to Thanksgiving, at approximately 3:30 p.m., law enforcement arrived at the Swiss Meadows apartment complex located in Berne, a quaint town roughly 35 miles south of Fort Wayne.
A law enforcement official detailed the poor condition of the residence, as stated in legal filings.
The entire unit was reportedly cluttered with trash, creating challenges for movement within the space. Authorities reported discovering a pot on the stove that contained mold and flies. According to officers, the dishes were stacked high and unwashed in the sink. Reports suggest that the residence may have been infested with cockroaches.
Reports suggest that the bedrooms were in a similarly poor state; the blankets and bedding in the home were described as unclean — especially those belonging to the young victim.
An officer reported that the crib mattress where the 2-year-old was discovered was “very soiled,” and observed a soiled diaper close by, along with feces in a corner of the closet.
An officer reported in an affidavit that upon entering the closet, he experienced a noticeable change in temperature compared to the main bedroom.
Authorities report that the ambient temperature within the apartment and certain surfaces varied between approximately 84 degrees and a scorching 109 degrees.
Authorities examined the girl’s body temperature, as reported by law enforcement. Her chest temperature registered at 109.4 degrees, while her forehead measured 108.8 degrees. An autopsy subsequently verified that her cause of death was hyperthermia — overheating.
In a recent interview, the mother of the girl reportedly stated that she had put her child to bed at approximately 7 p.m. the previous night, activated a space heater, and partially closed the door. Perez reportedly confessed to rising late the following day — at approximately 12:30 p.m. — and stated that neither parent attended to the young child until after 3 p.m.
Authorities report that the girl exhibited unusual discoloration on her body, with her head being described as having a notably dark hue.
There were two additional children residing in the home. Two young children, aged 3 and 5, were reportedly discovered in a state of distress due to lice infestations and were characterized as living in “extremely unhealthy” conditions. The Department of Child Services has taken them into custody.
Perez and Hirschy were taken into custody immediately.
The individuals involved are presently held at the Adams County Jail. Perez and Hirschy are set to attend a pretrial conference on February 14, 2025, with a jury trial planned for March 7, 2025.