Mom Walked Away as Home Burned With 4 Kids Inside, Killing 7-Year-Old — Now She’s Struck a Plea Deal

An Indiana woman who left her four children inside a burning house while she walked away for several blocks has been sentenced after reaching a plea deal with the prosecutors. Authorities said the fire resulted in the death of her seven-year-old son. Kirstin D. Bowers pleaded guilty on March 9 to leaving her four children inside a burning home while she walked several blocks away. Her seven-year-old son, David Bowers Jr., died in the fire, according to court records.

As part of the plea agreement, Bowers pleaded guilty to one count of neglect of a dependent resulting in death.

In exchange for Bower’s guilty plea, prosecutors agreed not to file three additional charges of neglect of a dependent, according to Indianapolis NBC affiliate WTHR. The plea deal includes a 30-year sentence, with 16 years in prison and the remaining 14 years suspended.

Authorities said the fire was reported on June 5, 2025, when deputies and firefighters received a 911 call reporting a “house on fire with small children inside” at a residence in the 2000 block of North CR 700 W, at about 2 p.m.

When first responders arrived, they saw a single-family home “fully engulfed” in flames, according to a statement from the Rush County Sheriff’s Office.

Firefighters made several attempts to rescue a boy trapped inside the house, but were not successful. The child was later identified as Bowers’ seven-year-old son, David Browers Jr. who was pronounced dead at the scene by the Rush County Coroner’s office.

Investigators said they observed “numerous suspicious circumstances” at the home on the day of the fire.

In an initial statement to authorities, Bowers said she had been smoking a cigarette in bed when she fell asleep and awoke to find the bed on fire. She claimed she tried to help the children.

Bowers told investigators she attempted to remove the children from the home one at a time because of heavy smoke and flames, but was unable to rescue her seven-year-old son, according to the sheriff’s office.

Authorities said Bowers made two 911 calls on the day of the fire. During the first call, she hung up without saying anything. She called again after 15 minutes and reported that her son, David, was trapped inside the burning home. As the investigation continued, Bowers' account did not match the evidence.

Investigators developed a timeline of the events using surveillance footage, witness statements and digital date. Authorities said the evidence showed Bowers left the residence and walked several blocks away around the time the fire began, according to a statement by Rush County officials.

Investigators said Bowers left four children inside the house. Authorities believe three of the children managed to escape on their own, but David could not make it out on time.