An Indiana couple is facing multiple felony charges after a 2-year-old boy in their care was found dead in conditions investigators describe as deeply disturbing. Authorities say the child had been starved to the point that he likely ate drywall and soiled diapers in a desperate attempt to survive.
Police identified the suspects as 39-year-old Trevor Reichard-Hayes and his 31-year-old wife, Katherine Carter. Both have been charged with murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, and neglect of a dependent. Officials have not yet clarified the exact relationship between the couple and the child, identified as Erik Reichard.
Emergency crews were called to a home on Guttenberg Lane in Tell City at around 1:19 p.m. on March 31 after a report of an unresponsive child. First responders attempted lifesaving measures, but the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to investigators, Reichard-Hayes made the 911 call, stating that Carter had discovered the child unresponsive. Authorities later revealed that neither adult had seen the boy alive for approximately 14 hours before calling for help. Based on early findings, officials believe the child had already been dead for several hours by the time emergency crews arrived.
What officers found inside the home raised serious concerns. Court documents describe unsanitary and hazardous living conditions, including feces scattered across children’s bedrooms, along with drywall debris, paint chips, dirt, and pieces of used diapers. Insects were reportedly present throughout the residence.
The child’s physical condition told an even more troubling story. He appeared “extremely skinny” and malnourished, with more than 40 sores or bug bites covering his body. Investigators said he weighed only about 15 pounds, roughly half the expected weight for a child his age.
An autopsy later confirmed that the boy had ingested materials consistent with drywall, paint chips, or spackling, as well as substances commonly found in diapers. Authorities believe he may have eaten these items due to extreme hunger. The examination did not find signs of physical abuse.
During questioning, Carter allegedly told investigators the child had been eating his diapers, which officers suspect was linked to severe malnourishment.
More details from the investigation suggest long-term neglect. One child’s room reportedly contained a training toilet filled with feces and urine that had not been cleaned for days or even weeks. In another room, investigators found a reversed doorknob, allowing the door to be locked from the outside, effectively confining a child inside.
Despite the conditions in the children’s living spaces, authorities noted that the adults’ bedroom appeared clean and well-kept.
Two other children were removed from the home as part of the ongoing investigation, which involves multiple agencies, including the Perry County Coroner’s Office and the Indiana Department of Child Services.
Authorities say the case remains under active investigation.
Read More: Indiana Couple Charged After Toddler Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries
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