In a tragic case that has captured the attention of many, an Indiana couple has been sentenced to lengthy prison terms following the death of their infant daughter. Nicolas Arnett, aged 29, and Shelby Langford, 24, were both found guilty of neglect leading to the catastrophic injury or death of their child. The heartbreaking incident culminated in a jury trial that concluded in December 2025, ending with the couple’s conviction.

The sentencing, which took place nearly two years after their arrest, saw Arnett receiving a 40-year prison sentence, while Langford was sentenced to 38 years. This comes in the wake of the devastating demise of their 17-month-old daughter, Kamryn, who had suffered multiple traumatic injuries.

Details of the case reveal that the couple had dialed 911 on December 5, 2023, reporting that their then 10-month-old daughter was having difficulty breathing. Upon Kamryn’s arrival at the hospital, medical professionals were alarmed by the presence of numerous injuries on her body, prompting them to contact law enforcement.

Medical staff noted that Kamryn exhibited bruises in various stages of healing, along with critically low body temperature and extremely high blood sugar levels. Arnett had attempted to attribute Kamryn’s condition to a previous infection diagnosis, suggesting anemia as a possibility and mentioning that their 3-year-old child was sometimes “rough” with Kamryn.

Further investigations by the police uncovered that a doctor treating Kamryn identified an old fracture on her spine. Moreover, the doctor reported discrepancies in the couple’s accounts of what had transpired, adding to the complexity of the case.

According to the affidavit, police spoke to Arnett and Langford after Kamryn was transferred to the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. The couple said Kamryn was in a back brace being treated for “a severe spinal and head injury.” The baby was also diagnosed with “slipped discs by her hip,” which would prevent her from walking, and suffered a stroke and four seizures.

Langford denied that she harmed Kamryn, telling police that since she and Arnett lost another baby in 2021, she treated Kamryn like “a porcelain baby doll” out of precaution. Both Arnett and Langford cited an alleged scuffle with Arnett’s mother and sister, after which the sister landed on top of the baby. The sister said she did not remember landing on the baby.

When the Department of Children’s Services spoke to police about its findings, the department said Kamryn’s injuries were “traumatic” rather than due to an accident or medical condition. Arnett and Langford were arrested and charged with neglect of a dependent in March 2024.

Kamryn died in September 2024, according to the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office.