Andrew Allen, 35, and Breanne Smith, 33, were arrested and charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death in connection with the drowning of their three-year-old daughter, Ivy Allen.
According to a press release by the Michigan City Police Department, the child, who had autism, wandered away from home. She was later found unresponsive in Lake Clare on May 12, 2022, after a 911 call was made.
The little girl was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, Ivy passed away. An extensive 11-month investigation led to the arrest of the parents on Feb. 15, 2023.
The couple is currently being held at the LaPorte County Jail, with a $100,000 cash bond set for each of them. Ivy was known for her love for the outdoors, dolls, dress-up, dinosaurs, unicorns, mermaids, Frozen, Disney, and the color lavender, according to her obituary.
While the incident happened last year, it took a long time for the charges to be brought against Smith and Allen. Anyone with relevant information has been asked to contact the police department.
Cases of child negligence are not uncommon in the United States, and drowning is the second leading cause of accidental deaths for children under the age of 14, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Therefore, parents are always advised to keep a watchful eye on their children, especially in water-related environments.