Additional Coverage:
- Licensed daycare operator charged after her infant son dies in unsafe sleeping arrangement (themirror.com)
Indiana Mother Faces Felony Charges Following Infant’s Death in Unsafe Sleeping Environment
An Indiana woman has been charged with three felony counts of neglect of a dependent after her infant son was found unresponsive in a queen-sized bed shared with an older sibling.
Brooklyn Davis, 27, a licensed daycare operator with extensive training in child care and safe sleeping practices, is accused of fatally neglecting her newborn by placing him in an unsafe co-sleeping situation. Court documents reveal that despite her professional background, Davis disregarded established safety guidelines.
The incident occurred in September 2024, when Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a call from Community East Hospital. The infant had been brought in unresponsive from Davis’s residence on Mountail Stream Way. According to investigators, Davis attempted CPR before rushing the baby to the hospital, but the infant was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
An autopsy determined the cause of death as “sudden explained death of an infant” influenced by the unsafe sleep environment. The baby was found in a prone position, face turned to the side, partially covered by a blanket on a queen-sized mattress shared with a six-year-old sibling, along with multiple blankets and miscellaneous items.
Court records indicate that Davis had previously signed a “Safe Sleep Safety Plan” with the Department of Child Services (DCS) in July 2024, which emphasized placing infants in cribs, bassinets, or play yards and warned of the suffocation risks associated with co-sleeping. The plan also prohibited marijuana use while caring for her children. However, Davis admitted to smoking marijuana hours before the incident and leaving the children unattended.
Other children in the home reportedly confirmed that co-sleeping with the infant was a frequent practice. Following the tragedy, DCS removed Davis’s two remaining children from her care, citing her failure to follow safety protocols and training.
Davis was taken into custody earlier this year. She appeared in court for an initial hearing in April 2026, with a bail review hearing scheduled soon after.
In a recorded call with investigators, Davis maintained that she did nothing wrong and attributed her son’s death to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). She has not participated in further interviews with law enforcement.
This case underscores the critical importance of adhering to safe sleep recommendations for infants, especially among caregivers with professional child care experience. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities pursue justice for the young victim.