Woman charged in death of 9-month-old baby

Ingris Marleni-Hernandez is facing charges for neglect of a dependent resulting in death and aggravated battery.

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis mother is charged in the death of her 9-month-old baby.

Ingris Marleni-Hernandez is facing charges for neglect of a dependent resulting in death and aggravated battery.

According to court documents, Marleni-Hernandez came under investigation Dec. 7 when her baby was brought to Riley Hospital for Children. 

Marleni-Hernandez allegedly told investigators she was sleeping with the child and got up to make coffee. Marleni-Hernandez said when she heard crying, she went back to the room and found the baby stuck between the mattress and headboard. She said the baby then started having a seizure.

Police claim that when Marleni-Hernandez reenacted what happened at her home, she said she lost her balance when pulling the baby free from between the headboard and mattress, and the baby's head hit the headboard.

An investigation found the baby was suffering several brain and neck injuries and that Marleni-Hernandez's explanation of what happened would not have accounted for all the injuries.

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According to court documents, after investigators confronted Marleni-Hernandez about the extent of the injuries, her story changed several times. Detectives then claim Marleni-Hernandez told them she had shaken the baby forcefully for several minutes until the baby stopped crying. 

The baby died Dec. 11, and Marleni-Hernandez was arrested and then charged. 

On Dec. 13, the Marion County Coroner's Office determined the girl's death to be a homicide.

She is being held on a $100,000 bond. A jury trial is scheduled for March.