Indiana mom faces a felony neglect charge after officers say the bathwater where her toddler daughter was found measured around 118 degrees
A 22-month-old girl died last week after her father found her facedown in a bathtub at the family’s Mitchell, Indiana, home. Her mother, Amanda B. Lane, is now charged with felony neglect of a dependent resulting in death, according to People. Indiana State Police arrested the 32-year-old without incident after investigating at the home and the hospital and interviewing witnesses.
The child’s father returned home shortly before noon and discovered the toddler facedown in the bathtub, according to a probable cause affidavit cited by local outlets. He immediately contacted 911. A neighbor who ran over to help told investigators she found the father performing CPR and saw water coming from the child’s mouth. Officers who arrived at the home also performed chest compressions and noted water coming from the child.
Medical staff at IU Health Bedford pronounced the toddler dead after she was transported to the hospital. Officers who tested the water in the tub said it measured about 118 degrees Fahrenheit. Investigators wrote in the arrest affidavit that the child had blisters on her legs that appeared to be fresh. A detective who saw the girl at the hospital also noted she appeared to have suffered severe burns to her entire body.
Investigators say the bathwater was still about 118 degrees when they tested it
The affidavit lays out a timeline of that morning, according to WBIW. A witness told investigators that Lane asked her to place the toddler in the tub to soak for a diaper rash. However, the witness said she ran only one to two inches of warm water and left around 10:30 a.m. while the girl was still playing.
At 11:24 a.m., Lane allegedly sent the witness a message reading, “I can’t get her out, and she’s p—ed.” When the witness offered to call for help, Lane allegedly replied, “it’s fine” and “Don’t worry about it.” The father said he later found Lane sitting in a back room, and she allegedly told him the child was in the bathtub.
Lane appeared in court on Monday. She could face additional prison time if convicted, as court records show prosecutors are seeking a habitual offender sentencing enhancement. Prison records indicate she previously served more than two years for a methamphetamine possession conviction before her release in 2023, and prosecutors declined to comment when the outlet reached out.
If Lane is convicted, prosecutors would still need to prove two prior unrelated felony convictions before the court could add six to 20 years under the state’s habitual offender statute.
The American Burn Association says water near 120 degrees can seriously burn a young child
The American Burn Association’s scald prevention guide says 120 degrees Fahrenheit is the most common maximum set for water from home heaters. At that temperature, adult skin needs an average of five minutes of exposure for a full-thickness burn. Young children face greater risk, as their thinner skin burns more deeply at the same temperature and exposure time.
The 118-degree reading may not reflect how hot the water was earlier that morning, as officers tested it after the girl had been pulled from the tub. Investigators have not publicly explained how the water reached that temperature or how long the toddler was in it.
Indiana law classifies neglect resulting in death as a Level 1 felony when the accused is at least 18, and the child is younger than 14. Early reports listed Lane’s preliminary charge as a Level 4 felony. However, the detective’s affidavit requested a Level 1 charge, which carries 20 to 40 years in prison.
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