INDIANAPOLIS — Two people were arrested on Sunday after a 7-year-old child died on the near southwest side of Indianapolis.
According to officials with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded around 3:40 p.m. Sunday to the 1300 block of S. Pershing Avenue for a death investigation.
IMPD said at the time it was a child death investigation and the department’s child abuse unit responded to the scene to take over the investigation.
When officers were at the scene, they observed injuries consistent with trauma on the child’s body and signs of malnourishment. The Marion County Coroner’s Office will release the name of the decedent once proper next-of-kin notification has been made.
On Sunday, 26-year-old Kevin Gavarrete and 20-year-old Julia Sizemore were both arrested on preliminary charges of neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
“This is a devastating and unimaginable tragedy. The loss of a young life, especially so close to the holidays, is heartbreaking for our entire community,” IMPD Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigations Kendale Adams said in a news release. “Our department is fully committed to uncovering the truth and holding those responsible accountable. The safety and well-being of our children remain our highest priority, and we are working with our partners to ensure justice is served. We extend our deepest condolences to all who are grieving this senseless loss,” he added.
In a statement from the Indiana Department of Child Services, officials said:
“IC 31-33-18-1.5, section 5(e)(1), prohibits DCS from disclosing information about fatalities during a police investigation and any subsequent criminal prosecution.”
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the department’s child abuse office at (317) 327-6875.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
