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Background: The Owen County Security Center in Spencer, Indiana (Google Maps). Inset: Samantha Mayhew (Owen County Prosecutor”s Office).
In a tragic altercation, an Indiana woman has been charged with involuntary manslaughter following a deadly confrontation spurred by a heated discussion over child custody. Samantha Mayhew, 33, is accused of causing the death of Kiersten Moore during an intense dispute, according to the Owen County Prosecutor’s Office.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of Saturday at a bonfire in rural Indiana. As reported by The Herald-Times, a Bloomington-based publication, a fight erupted between the two women, with Mayhew allegedly taking an aggressive stance. Eyewitnesses at the scene recounted that the altercation began after Mayhew questioned Moore about the custody of her child.
During the scuffle, Mayhew reportedly grabbed Moore’s hoodie, leading both women to tumble toward a pile of rocks. Local Fox affiliate WXIX further reported that the police affidavit suggests Mayhew may have placed Moore in a chokehold, intensifying the physical confrontation.
Deputies from the Owen County Sheriff’s Office were en route to the location on Private Road 525 West when they encountered Mayhew, described as having a significant laceration on her cheek, blood-stained attire, and a noticeable odor of alcohol. Her demeanor was reported as aggressive and uncooperative.
Currently, Mayhew is detained at the Owen County Security Center with a bond set at $30,000, as the investigation into the incident continues to unfold. The case highlights the severe consequences that can arise from disputes turning violent, reminding communities of the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully.
An officer stopped her and asked her what happened, the affidavit stated. Mayhew allegedly said that “they were trying to get her for that girl not breathing.”
She reportedly made several other remarks, such as, “the b— started it,” “I don’t know, she came at me,” and “I did this.”
A witness said that Mayhew was “f— up” on alcohol and “a whole bunch of other stuff,” the affidavit added. The defendant was also alleged to have been seen on top of the victim during the fight, with someone other than Moore believed to have caused Mayhew’s injuries in an attempt to get her off the victim.
Responding authorities found Moore unconscious, with an officer reporting that she did not appear to have any obvious visible injuries, per WXIX. She was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Mayhew was arrested and charged that day.
The Owen County Sheriff’s Office said that though an autopsy on Moore was conducted on Tuesday, a cause of death had not yet been determined. The agency asked people to “not post speculations, theories, opinions, or rumors out of respect for the victim and her family.”
Following her initial appearance in court on Monday, Mayhew is scheduled to return on April 16.