INDIANAPOLIS – Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears has announced formal charges against two parents in connection with the death of their 1-year-old son, Angel, who was found severely malnourished at Eskenazi Hospital.
Wendy Alvarado has been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony.
Dunio Rosales-Duarte has been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony, and two counts of neglect of a dependent, Level 6 felonies.
"It is crushing to confront the fate of this young child. Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy, safe, and loved," Prosecutor Mears said in a statement.
According to court documents, the child was brought to Eskenazi Hospital Emergency Room around 10:12 a.m. on Nov. 17 by both parents. Hospital staff began resuscitative measures but the child was cold to the touch and declared deceased at 10:37 a.m.
A probable cause affidavit reveals the child's father left the hospital shortly after dropping off the mother and child at the emergency room entrance. Hospital staff reported the parents were arguing in the waiting room, where the father reportedly stated "it's all your fault" before leaving to care for their other children, who were left unsupervised at their West Michigan Street residence.
Deputy Coroner Tanya Ramos observed the child to be severely malnourished and underweight, with the child's ribs and other bones very pronounced. The child's postmortem weight was 10.86 pounds. The coroner noted extensive bruising to the child's head, chest, abdomen, lower back and buttocks, as well as multiple scratches and scars on the neck, chest, arms and hands.
During questioning, the father told detectives the child was born approximately one month premature and spent about a month in the hospital after birth due to breathing difficulties. He claimed doctors told them the child would "always be small and thin."
The father admitted he had been concerned about the child's size for approximately two weeks to one month but said nothing came of discussions with the mother. When asked why they didn't seek medical care, he claimed they were denied care at a nearby clinic, though he later contradicted this account.
The mother requested an attorney and did not answer questions from detectives.
"Parents are meant to protect and care for their children. Tragically, that responsibility was not carried out here, and Baby Angel suffered the consequences," said IMPD Chief Chris Bailey. "Baby Angel had turned one just last week and should have experienced nothing but love and safety."
Four other children in the home were taken into custody by the Department of Child Services and appeared unharmed.
