RUSH COUNTY — A mother from Arlington, Indiana, has been charged with neglect resulting in death and three other counts of neglect in connection with a fatal fire that killed a 7-year-old last month.
Formal charges were brought up against 33-year-old Kirstin Bowers on Monday.
According to the Rush County Sheriff's Office, crews were dispatched to the 200 block of North County Road 700 West in Arlington around 2 p.m. on June 5.
Crews found the house fully engulfed in flames and learned a small child was still inside. Officials say all attempts to save the child were unsuccessful.
The child was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Rush County Coroner's Office and later identified as 7-year-old David Bowers Jr.
The Rush County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Indiana State Fire Marshals for this investigation.
According to RCSO, many suspicious circumstances were observed on the date of the fire.
In a statement collected by investigators, Bowers described herself as falling asleep in a bed with a lit cigarette in her mouth. She woke up with the bed on fire.
Investigators said Bowers claimed she tried to get the children out of the house one by one, but could not get Bowers Jr. out due to smoke and fire.
According to the news release, Bowers made two phone calls to 911, the first being a hangup and the second 15 minutes later, reporting the fire.
In the investigation, investigators developed a timeline using surveillance footage, witness statements and digital technology that showed Bowers had left the residence and walked several blocks away during the suspected time of the fire, leaving the four small children inside.
Investigators believe the other three children were able to get out of the house on their own, and Bowers Jr. could not.
"This is a tragic event for our community, and especially for the town of Arlington, which has faced several heartbreaking incidents in recent years," said Detective Randy M. Meek of the Rush County Sheriff's Office in a statement. "Our agency would be remiss not to recognize the heroic efforts of the fire personnel for the multiple departments—many of whom are volunteers. Their bravery and selflessness on that day deserve our deepest gratitude and highest commendation."
Bowers is currently being housed in the Shelby County Jail on unrelated charges.
