Neglect of a Dependent is a Felony in Indiana

Employees at an Indiana elementary school are being charged with crimes after a 7-year-old special needs youngster was allegedly made to eat his own vomit with a spoon in front of other students in the lunchroom.



Four employees of the Brownsburg Community School Corporation and one independent contractor from Kids Count Therapy, LLC have been charged by the Hendricks County Prosecutor's Office. The mistreatment of a male student, age 7, at Brown Elementary School who is enrolled in the Life Skills program was the subject of an inquiry, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Brownsburg Police Department.

Sara Seymour, a 27-year-old life skills instructor at Brown Elementary, and an instructional assistant Debra Kanipe, 63, were charged with failure to report, a Class B misdemeanor, and neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony. Julie Taylor, a 48-year-old Brown Elementary Life Skills Instructor and Instructional Assistant Both Kristen Mitchell, 38, and Megan King, 24, a Kids Count Registered Behavioral Technician, were accused of failing to report.

School Statement

Families enrolled in the school corporation received a message from Brownsburg Schools on Wednesday evening.

The BCSC proceeded forward with the dismissal of two staff members on April 17 "after learning of the mistreatment of a life skills student in their care at lunch," the statement said. They were alleged to allowed the child to eat his vomit. The district reaffirmed that it had informed Brown Elementary families and staff of this. "BCSC has been notified that these two staff members will be charged by the Hendricks County Prosecutor. Two other staff members are also being charged for their roles in failing to report the incident. More details are forthcoming from the Brownsburg Police Department (BPD)."

Neglect of a Dependent

Neglect of a dependent is a felony in Indiana. It is a very serious charge. Definitely being accused of having a child eat their own vomit would fall in the category of that crime.