A heartbreaking case in Indiana has led to the arrest of a young mother after her 15-month-old son died in what investigators described as an unsafe sleeping environment. Authorities say the child was left alone for several hours before he was found unresponsive. The incident has raised serious concerns about child safety and safe sleeping practices for infants and toddlers.
Indiana Mother Arrested After Toddler’s Death
Police in Evansville, Indiana, arrested 25-year-old Amirah Eziah Moodie in connection with the death of her 15-month-old son, Isais Pascual-Hernandez.
According to court records, Moodie has been charged with one count of neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
The case began on November 14, 2025, when Evansville Police Department officers and emergency responders received a call about a medical emergency at an apartment complex on Cass Court.
Authorities say Moodie called emergency services around 4:22 p.m., telling the dispatcher she could not wake her young son and that his body had become stiff.
First Responders Found Child Unresponsive
When emergency crews arrived at the apartment, they found the toddler lying on the floor near the entrance.
Officers and paramedics attempted lifesaving measures but quickly realised the child had already died.
Police then detained both Moodie and the child’s father and took them to police headquarters for questioning.
During the investigation, officers also examined the living conditions inside the apartment.
Police Describe Unsafe Living Conditions
According to the police affidavit, investigators described the home as extremely messy.
Officers reported seeing:
- Food scattered across the floor
- Trash spread throughout the apartment
- Cat feces in several areas
While inspecting the child’s bedroom, investigators discovered a Pack ’n Play crib placed in the centre of the room.
However, inside the crib they found an oversized mattress that did not properly fit the structure.
The mattress stretched from one end to the other, with the extra portion folded and pushed against the side, forming an unusual L-shape.
Investigators also collected a waterproof sheet from the crib. The sheet had a rubber-type backing that police said created a dangerous suffocation risk.
Mother Says Child Was Put Down for a Nap
During questioning, Moodie told investigators she first put her son to bed at around 6 p.m. the previous evening.
She said he slept overnight and woke up around 6 a.m. the next morning.
After the child’s father left for work, Moodie said she took a THC gummy because she felt stressed about financial problems.
Later that morning, she said the child appeared tired and less active than usual.
At around 9 a.m., she placed him in the Pack ’n Play with a bottle so he could take a nap.
Moodie told police that the child did not resist the nap and fell asleep quickly.
Child Left Alone for Several Hours
After putting the child down to sleep, Moodie said she went to her bedroom and slept on and off for several hours.
According to investigators, the child remained alone in the crib during that time.
The boy’s father returned home from work around 2 p.m. and also went to sleep.
Moodie told police she believed the child was still sleeping and did not check on him immediately.
She finally went to check on her son sometime between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., roughly seven hours after putting him down for the nap.
Mother Found Child With Sheet Wrapped Around His Head
When Moodie checked the crib, she found her son unresponsive.
According to the police affidavit, the sheet inside the crib had become wrapped around the child’s head several times.
Moodie reportedly told investigators that she struggled to remove the sheet from around his head.
She also noticed marks on the child’s neck and that his lips had turned blue.
Police said Moodie admitted the sheet was larger than the mattress and that the child often pulled it loose.
Autopsy Confirms Suffocation
A medical examination later confirmed the toddler’s cause of death.
According to the autopsy report, the child died from asphyxia due to suffocation caused by bedding in an unsafe sleep environment.
The report also noted that ligature strangulation may have contributed to the death.
Mother Remains in Jail
Following the investigation, police arrested Moodie.
She is currently being held in the Vanderburgh County Jail without bond.
Court records show that she made her initial court appearance on Monday morning and is scheduled to return to court again on March 26.
This tragic case highlights the importance of safe sleeping practices for young children. Health experts often warn that loose bedding, oversized mattresses, and unsafe sleep setups can create serious suffocation risks for infants and toddlers. Authorities will now continue the legal process while the case moves through the court system.
