Indiana mother, boyfriend arrested after malnourished 5-year-old covered in fecal matter dies

INDIANAPOLIS (TCD) -- Police recently arrested a 29-year-old mother and her 27-year-old boyfriend on multiple charges in connection with the neglect, malnourishment, and death of a 5-year-old girl.

According to a news release from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, on Tuesday, April 9, at approximately 5:12 p.m., officers responded to the 6500 block of Denver Drive, where they found 5-year-old Kinsleigh Welty unresponsive and appearing malnourished. Paramedics transported Welty to Riley Hospital for Children, where she was pronounced dead.

Upon further investigation, police arrested the victim’s mother, 29-year-old Toni McClure, on Wednesday, April 10, on charges of murder and child neglect resulting in death. Officers also arrested McClure’s boyfriend, 27-year-old Ryan Smith, on a charge of child neglect resulting in death.

According to court records reviewed by WXIN-TV, the victim’s mother initially blamed Smith for the abuse Welty endured, but then she allegedly later admitted to harming her daughter. She apparently was aware that what she was doing was wrong, but she remained indifferent about it.

Police reportedly located a small closet inside the residence that was full of fecal matter. McClure allegedly forced Welty to stay in the closet, which she blocked off with a dresser. The young girl reportedly had feces on her hair and feet, as well as lice on her face and head.

At the time of her death, Welty weighed less than she did when she was 2 years old, WXIN reports.

McClure allegedly failed to adequately feed Welty, who often said she was hungry. According to WXIN, McClure told officials she worried that her daughter would eventually die due to her actions, but she didn’t want the girl in her life.

McClure’s boyfriend reportedly told police the victim had been kept in the closet since Thanksgiving and wasn’t often allowed out. Smith knew the child was losing weight, but he failed to call 911 because he loved McClure, WXIN reports.

According to police, the Indiana Department of Child Services took custody of the other children inside the home.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Chris Bailey said, "The circumstances of Kinsleigh’s death are horrific and beyond comprehension. No human being, let alone a child should be treated like she was. These alleged suspects, if convicted, should never step foot outside of a prison."

Prior to her most recent arrest, court documents reviewed by WXIN say in 2018, Welty was suffering from failure to thrive, and McClure was charged with neglect as a result. She received more than 400 days of probation in the case.

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