On Thursday, November 6, an Indiana father pleaded guilty to abuse of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury in the death of his 3-month-old daughter.
Jacob Vera is due to be sentenced on December 1.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, Muncie Police Department officers responded to the Bestway Inn in Muncie about 8:30 p.m. on March 25, 2023.
Jessica Brown, the girl’s mother, said she returned home from work to find one of her children crying in a mobile crib. Her other child, Isabella, was discovered “swaddled in a blanket and rocking in a baby swing,” according to the affidavit.
Both children were being taken care of by Vera while Brown was at work. Brown informed detectives that when she got home, Vera was gone.
Brown informed investigators, she scooped up Isabella and she wasn’t moving. “Brown then noticed that [Isabella] was not breathing so she ran to a nearby room for someone to call for help, as Vera had apparently left with their only phone,” adds the affidavit.
Medical personnel reported that “signs of rigor mortis were already present” in the child, indicating that she died about two hours before first responders arrived.
A coroner later determined that the infant died of asphyxiation.
A motel visitor informed police that Vera came to his room and begged for a ride to Chicago, but the guest did not provide him with a ride.
Another witness informed police the following day that Vera had asked her for a ride to Illinois at 5:45 p.m. On March 25. She stated that she picked him up around 6:40 p.m. and took him to Illinois in exchange for gas money.
Vera, who was in Peoria, spoke to investigators on March 28. “Vera stated that he did leave the children unattended and advised ‘if I’m guilty of anything it’s the leaving,” the affidavit states.
He told investigators he swaddled Isabella in a blanket and “then laid another blanket on top of her in the swing,” the affidavit states.
“Vera stated that when he left, [Isabella] was asleep,” states the affidavit. “Vera claimed he left the children unattended in order to travel to Illinois and to avoid any drama with Jessica Brown.”
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453.
