Indy Mother Charged in Daughter's Death Faces Life in Prison

Prosecutors seek life sentence for Toni McClure, accused of starving and neglecting her 5-year-old daughter Kinsleigh Welty

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Prosecutors in Marion County, Indiana say they will seek life in prison without parole for Toni McClure, who is charged with murder in the death of her 5-year-old daughter Kinsleigh Welty. McClure is also facing battery and criminal confinement charges related to the alleged abuse and neglect of her daughter, which prosecutors claim started in May 2021 and continued until the child's death in April 2024.

Why it matters

This case has drawn significant attention in the Indianapolis community due to the horrific nature of the alleged abuse and neglect, as well as the prosecutor's decision to pursue the harshest possible sentence. It also highlights ongoing challenges in the child welfare system to identify and intervene in cases of severe parental neglect.

The details

According to the autopsy, Kinsleigh Welty died from malnutrition resulting from neglect. McClure allegedly told investigators that she barely fed her daughter and that the child spent most of her time confined in a closet covered in feces. Prosecutors have also charged McClure's mother, Tammy Halsey, and her boyfriend, Ryan Smith, claiming they knew about the abuse and would restrain the girl and prevent her from getting food. Halsey and Smith have both agreed to plea deals.

  • In April 2024, police found the 5-year-old girl unresponsive at a home on the southwest side of Indianapolis.
  • The prosecutor's office filed amended charges against McClure, claiming the abuse started in May 2021 and went on until Welty's death, instead of between November 2023 and April 2024 as originally believed.
  • McClure's trial is scheduled for June.

The players

Toni McClure

The mother charged with murder in the death of her 5-year-old daughter Kinsleigh Welty. She is also facing battery and criminal confinement charges related to the alleged abuse and neglect of her daughter.

Kinsleigh Welty

The 5-year-old daughter of Toni McClure who died from malnutrition resulting from neglect.

Tammy Halsey

The mother of Toni McClure who was also charged for knowing about the abuse and restraining the girl to prevent her from getting food. Halsey has agreed to a plea deal.

Ryan Smith

The boyfriend of Toni McClure's mother, Tammy Halsey, who was also charged for knowing about the abuse and restraining the girl to prevent her from getting food. Smith has agreed to a plea deal.

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What’s next

McClure's trial is scheduled for June, where prosecutors will seek a life sentence without parole.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the critical importance of the child welfare system identifying and intervening in cases of severe parental neglect and abuse to protect vulnerable children. It also raises questions about the challenges in the system and what more can be done to prevent such horrific outcomes.