Shiann Bodkins Obituary: 19-Year-Old Charged With Neglect of Dependent Resulting in Death After Infant Daughter Dies in Marion, Indiana
A 19-year-old woman from Marion, Indiana, has been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death following the death of her infant daughter after an incident involving an unsafe sleep environment. According to court documents cited in reports by local media, officers with the Marion Police Department were called to a residence on North Adams Street on May 3, 2026, after receiving a report that a child was in life-threatening condition.
Emergency medical personnel arrived first and began treating the child. Police officers arrived shortly afterward and began investigating the circumstances.
The infant was transported to a hospital, where she died on May 9. An autopsy listed the cause of death as anoxic encephalopathy, a brain injury resulting from a severe lack of oxygen, along with an unsafe sleep environment.
What Court Documents Say About the Incident
According to the reports, Shiann Bodkins told investigators that she regularly slept in the same bed as her daughter because the child was uncomfortable in her bassinet. She reportedly acknowledged knowing that co-sleeping was not recommended but said the baby slept better in her bed.
Court documents also describe events during the morning of May 3. Bodkins reportedly told investigators that her mother initially woke her around 10 a.m. and said the baby was awake and moving. At approximately 10:30 a.m., her mother reportedly alerted her that the child was no longer moving or breathing.
Criminal Charge and Legal Status
Bodkins was charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death in connection with her daughter’s passing. A Grant County booking record lists the charge as a Level 1 felony.
The charge is an allegation, not a conviction. Bodkins is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The available reports noted a scheduled court appearance for November 6, 2026, but did not establish the outcome of that hearing.
The child’s death is a heartbreaking loss. Thoughts are with everyone affected as the family continues to grieve.