JENNINGS COUNTY – Jennings County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a North Vernon man on preliminary charges of battery on a minor causing serious bodily injury and neglect of a dependent causing serious bodily injury after a child was brought to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour with injuries consistent with possible abuse.
Sheriff deputies were contacted by medical staff at Schneck about a 1-year-old’s injuries on Jan. 1, reporting the injuries were sustained at a home in Marion Township in Jennings County.
Detective Ian McPherson learned the child, who had suffered numerous bruises to the face, a burn to the arm, and a spiral fracture to the tibia of the left leg, was transported to Riley’s Children Hospital, Indianapolis, for specialized treatment.
On Wednesday, Detective McPherson conducted a thorough interview with Kiah D. Wingate, 26, North Vernon, during which Kiah voluntarily confessed to causing the injuries. It is important to note that Kiah is not related to the child.
At the culmination of the investigation, Detective McPherson, assisted by Deputy Kyle Lee and the Indiana Department of Child Services, arrested Wingate on charges including battery on a minor causing serious bodily injury (Level 3 felony) and neglect of a dependent causing serious bodily injury (Level 5 felony). He was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held at the Jennings County Jail in lieu of $3,560 bond, jail officials said.
