Indiana Couple Arrested After 1-Year-Old Son Fatally Shot by 5-Year-Old Brother Who Had Cocaine in His System: Police
Jul. 28 2023, Published 11:03 a.m. ET
A couple in Indiana have been arrested after their 5-year-old son killed his 1-year-old brother to death last spring, according to authorities.
Around 3 p.m. on March 28, police went to a home in Lafayette for a report of a shooting and found the infant deceased from an apparent gunshot wound, the Lafayette Police Department announced.
Investigators determined the boy was fatally shot by his older brother, who they believe accessed a gun in the apartment where he and his family lived.
On July 24, officers from the LaPorte City Police Department arrested 24-year-old Shatia Welch and 27-year-old Deonta Johnson following a traffic stop.
The victim, who sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head, reportedly had marijuana in his system and his 5-year-old brother had cocaine in his blood, the Lafayette Journal & Courier reported.
Court documents state Johnson switched his story multiple times while talking to police. He reportedly said he woke up on the couch, saw the 5-year-old on the couch, “heard a boom, took the marijuana to the car” and then found the 1-year-old victim, the Journal & Courier reported.
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Officials said they reportedly found over 90 fentanyl pills while searching the apartment.
Welch told police she kept the gun under her bed in a safe, but she took it out a few days before the shooting took place. Police later found the gun on her dresser, officials said.
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The couple was arrested and charged with neglect resulting in death, two counts of neglect, neglect resulting in bodily injury, conspiracy to commit dealing a narcotic drug, dealing a narcotic drug, possession of a narcotic, conspiracy to commit dealing marijuana, dealing marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Johnson was also charged with obstruction of justice, authorities said.
They were booked into LaPorte County Jail and are being held without bond.
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