Monroe County deputies arrest two in connection with 3-year-old’s death

According to a news release issued by the Monroe County sheriff’s department Thursday night, two women have been charged with neglect of a dependent in connection with the death of a three-year-old girl.

The case stems from a welfare check made by sheriff’s deputies last Friday (Aug. 8) to the 4000 block of North Thomas Road, which is northwest of Bloomington and south of Ellettsville.

The deputies found a three-year-old girl unconscious and not breathing, according to the release. The girl was taken by ambulance to IU Health’s Bloomington hospital, then flown to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis that same day. The girl died five days later, on Wednesday.

Detectives had started an investigation, and on Thursday, in connection with the death of the girl, arrested two women: Keera L. Braun (27) and Millissa D. Hicks (50). For both women, the jail book-in records indicate the same address on the 4000 block of North Thomas Road.

A charge of neglect of a dependent is a level 1 felony if it is committed by a person at least 18 years old and results in the death or catastrophic injury of a dependent who is less than 14. Indiana state law defines neglect of a dependant generally as: putting the dependent in a situation that endangers their life or health; abandons or cruelly confines the dependent; deprives the dependent of necessary support; or deprives the dependent of education as required by law.