Indiana Parents Arrested After ‘Malnourished’ 1-Year-Old Weighing Just 10 Pounds Dies Minutes After ER Arrival

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA — A heartbreaking case of alleged child neglect unfolded this week after a 1-year-old Indiana boy weighing only 10 pounds was declared dead just 15 minutes after his parents brought him to the emergency room. Police say the child, identified as Angel, appeared “very malnourished” and was covered in bruises, scratches, and scarring, leading to the arrest of his parents on charges of child neglect resulting in death.

Parents Arrive at Hospital With “Cold to the Touch” Infant

According to court documents, 35-year-old Wendy Alvarado and 31-year-old Dunio Duarte-Rosales arrived at Eskenazi Hospital around 10:14 a.m. on Monday, telling staff their son felt cold and unresponsive. Within minutes, doctors pronounced the baby dead.

A deputy coroner noted the child’s extremely low weight — only 10 pounds, less than half the average for a one-year-old — and described his condition as “very malnourished and underweight.”

Angel’s body reportedly showed visible injuries.

“Bruises, scratches, and scarring were present,”
investigators wrote in the affidavit.

Alvarado immediately requested an attorney and declined to speak with officers.

Police Find Two Kids Alone at Home, Oxycodone Accessible to Children

When police executed a search warrant at the home, they discovered two young children left unsupervised. Those children were taken into protective custody through the Department of Child Services, while the couple’s two older children were located at school.

Inside the home, detectives found oxycodone stored in a drawer easily accessible to young children. Police say the environment raised immediate red flags about safety and supervision.

When officers later located Duarte-Rosales — who had left the hospital to return home — he allegedly admitted to smoking methamphetamine both before and after bringing the baby to the ER.

Asked about the oxycodone, he claimed
“it must have fallen into the lower drawer while he was moving things around.”

Father Claims Baby Was Premature and “Barely Eats”

When questioned about Angel’s extreme malnutrition, Duarte-Rosales told officers the boy had been born a month premature and was always expected to be small. He said the baby “barely eats,” but insisted he was “always smiling and laughing,” so they never sought medical care.

Investigators say Angel was never taken to a doctor, despite his clear physical decline.

According to court documents, Duarte-Rosales said he brought up his son’s health to Alvarado “at some point,” but claimed that “nothing came of it.”

Signs of Abuse and Neglect Raise Serious Concerns

Detectives also asked about the bruises and scratches found on the child’s body, but Duarte-Rosales reportedly had no explanation for the injuries.

In a similar case cited in court documents, deputies previously found newborn twins “severely malnourished” in a separate home where marijuana odor was noted — a reminder of how quickly child welfare investigations can escalate when physical signs of neglect appear.

An autopsy was conducted, but the final results were not yet available at the time of the arrest.

Parents Arrested, Held Without Listed Bond

Both Alvarado and Duarte-Rosales were arrested on charges of child neglect resulting in death, a major felony in Indiana. They were transported to the Marion County Jail, where bond had not been listed as of Wednesday.

The couple is scheduled to appear in court on November 21.

Detectives emphasized that the case showed clear warning signs:

“Angel was very malnourished and underweight,”
the affidavit stated.
“His condition was unsafe and preventable.”

All surviving children have been placed under state protection as the investigation continues.

As Indianapolis authorities await autopsy results and further court proceedings, this tragic case underscores the importance of early medical care and vigilant child welfare oversight. For continuing updates on local investigations, public safety, and community news, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.