INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Kristina Gensheimer, 35, was sentenced to 910 days in prison for neglecting her 4-month-old daughter, Emma, who was found unresponsive in the family’s home on August 25, 2024. With time served and a suspended portion of her sentence, Gensheimer will serve only 40 additional days.
Incident Details
Emergency personnel and police responded to a Congress Avenue home in Indianapolis after receiving a call about an unresponsive infant. Emma was found on the bedroom floor with no signs of life and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Authorities noted the infant had a soiled diaper but no external injuries other than a severe diaper rash.
Investigation and Contributing Factors
The autopsy determined that Emma died from “sudden unexplained death of an infant,” influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as co-sleeping with her mother and falling from an adult-size bed. Gensheimer admitted that Emma had been sleeping in bed with her rather than in a bassinet in the weeks prior.
Authorities also reported that Gensheimer had a history of substance use, including heroin, methamphetamine, and nicotine vaping during pregnancy, which contributed to the infant being born prematurely and experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
On the morning of the incident, Gensheimer admitted to taking GHB (“liquid ecstasy”) before discovering her daughter on the floor.
Legal Outcome
Gensheimer was convicted of Level 6 felony child neglect, a reduced charge from her initial potential prosecution. With credit for time served and a portion of her sentence suspended, she faces only 40 additional days in jail.
