The senseless death of a child is a tragedy that shakes any community to its core. Even more so when the child’s death is a result of neglect and abuse by the very people who should be their protectors.
This is the tragic story of Kinsleigh Welty, a 5-year-old girl from Indianapolis, Indiana, whose life was cut short in the most horrific way imaginable.
Law enforcement officials were called to a residence on Denver Drive, Indianapolis, on April 9, 2024, following a report of an unresponsive child. They found Kinsleigh Welty, a 5-year-old girl, in a state that would shock even the most seasoned officers.
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Kinsleigh was severely malnourished, covered in bite marks and feces, and had lice crawling on her face and head. She was rushed to Riley Hospital for Children, but sadly, it was too late. Kinsleigh succumbed to severe malnutrition.
Kinsleigh’s mother, Toni McClure, and her boyfriend, Ryan Smith, were arrested in connection with the child’s death. McClure was charged with two counts of murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, battery on a person less than 14 years old, and criminal confinement.
Smith was charged with three counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, and one count of criminal confinement. A few days later, Kinsleigh’s grandmother, Tammy Halsey, was also arrested on charges of neglect.
Authorities revealed that Kinsleigh was kept in a small closet, covered in feces, and was rarely allowed out. The closet door was blocked by a dresser to prevent her escape.
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McClure confessed to placing Kinsleigh in the closet and failing to feed her adequately despite the child’s frequent complaints of hunger. Smith admitted that Kinsleigh had been confined in the closet since Thanksgiving 2023.
According to FOX 59, McClure had a history with the Department of Child Services (DCS). She was charged with neglect in December 2018 when Kinsleigh was just a baby. The home was reportedly in one of the worst conditions the responding officer had ever seen, and Kinsleigh appeared malnourished. McClure served 21 days in jail for that case.
Despite McClure’s history, Kinsleigh was returned to her mother’s care multiple times after being placed in foster care and with her paternal grandparents, Tricia and Brian Welty. Tricia stated that they had warned DCS about Kinsleigh’s health but were let down. She expressed her frustration with the system’s focus on reunification, stating that it often overlooks the child’s safety.
Kinsleigh’s death spurred outrage in the community and demands for accountability from DCS. Indianapolis City-County Councilor Joshua Bain called for an immediate action to address the circumstances surrounding this tragedy and a full investigation into DCS.
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McClure is currently being held without bond, pending the filing of formal charges. If convicted, law enforcement officials believe she should never be allowed to step foot outside of prison. Meanwhile, the Welty family is raising money for Kinsleigh’s funeral expenses and to set up a foundation in her memory.
Note: If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, report it to your local child protection services or call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453), or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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