Mother Charged with Neglect in Infant Co-Sleeping Death

Brooklyn Davis faces three counts of neglect after her two-month-old son died in September 2024.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:06pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a baby blanket with a subtle pattern, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A harsh flash illuminates the delicate fabric of a baby blanket, a stark reminder of the tragic loss of an infant life.Indianapolis Today

A 27-year-old Indianapolis mother, Brooklyn Davis, has been charged with three counts of neglect of a dependent, including one Level 3 felony and two Level 6 felonies, in connection with the death of her infant son in September 2024. The charges allege that Davis failed to follow safe sleep guidelines despite prior training and a signed safety plan, leading to the baby's death from sudden unexplained infant death while co-sleeping with an older sibling.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges around safe sleep practices and the need for greater education and accountability, especially for parents who work in childcare professions. It also raises questions about the role of child protective services and whether more could have been done to prevent this tragedy.

The details

According to the probable cause affidavit, police were called to a hospital on September 19, 2024 after Davis brought her two-month-old son there in cardiac arrest. The infant was pronounced dead at 3:07 a.m. The autopsy determined the cause of death was 'sudden unexplained infant death' and found the baby had been sleeping on an adult bed with numerous blankets and a 6-year-old sibling. Davis, who runs an FSSA-licensed daycare, had previously signed a 'Safe Sleep Safety Plan' agreeing not to co-sleep with her infant, but investigators say she left the baby unattended upstairs while she went downstairs to smoke marijuana. Davis was known to child protective services, and they removed her two remaining children from the home following the incident.

  • On September 19, 2024, police were dispatched to a hospital after Davis brought her two-month-old son there in cardiac arrest.
  • The infant was pronounced dead at 3:07 a.m. on September 19, 2024.
  • On July 2, Davis had signed a 'Safe Sleep Safety Plan' agreeing to safe sleep practices.
  • The case was filed in March 2026, with the probable cause affidavit unsealed in April 2026.
  • Davis was booked into jail on April 1, 2026, with an initial hearing held on April 7.

The players

Brooklyn Davis

A 27-year-old Indianapolis mother who runs an FSSA-licensed daycare and has been charged with three counts of neglect of a dependent in connection with the death of her infant son.

Juvenile Victim 1

The two-month-old son of Brooklyn Davis who died in September 2024.

Department of Child Services (DCS)

The agency that had prior involvement with Brooklyn Davis and removed her two remaining children from the home following the infant's death.

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What’s next

A bail review hearing for Brooklyn Davis is scheduled for April 20, 2026.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the critical importance of safe sleep education and accountability, especially for parents who work in childcare professions. It raises questions about how to better support families, prevent these types of incidents, and ensure the wellbeing of vulnerable children.