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Inset: Brooklyn Davis (IMPD). Background: The area in Indiana where Davis’ newborn son died in his sleep (Google Maps).
A 27-year-old mother from Indiana, who also runs a licensed daycare, is facing serious charges after allegedly neglecting her newborn son, leading to his tragic death. Brooklyn Davis is accused of leaving her infant to sleep on an adult bed shared with his 6-year-old sibling, surrounded by pillows and blankets, a decision that has raised concerns about safety and neglect.
Earlier this month, Davis was apprehended and now faces three felony counts of neglect of a dependent, following the heartbreaking incident that occurred in September 2024. This case has attracted significant attention, highlighting the critical issues surrounding child safety and the responsibilities of caregivers.
The incident unfolded when officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were called to Community East Hospital on September 19, 2024. The infant had been brought in unresponsive from the family’s residence on Mountain Stream Way. According to a probable cause affidavit reported by WXIN, a local Fox affiliate, the baby was in cardiac arrest and tragically “never regained a pulse.” He was pronounced dead at 3:07 a.m., a detail that underscores the gravity of the situation.
Subsequent investigations revealed that the newborn had been placed to sleep in Davis’ bed, alongside his older sibling. Authorities have labeled this as an improper co-sleeping arrangement, a factor that significantly contributed to the incident. This case serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers of unsafe sleeping environments for infants, emphasizing the need for vigilance and adherence to safe sleep guidelines among parents and caregivers.
Investigators later determined the infant had been sleeping in Davis’ bed alongside his older sibling in what authorities described as an improper co-sleeping situation.
According to the affidavit, Davis showed investigators a video of the baby sleeping face down on the older child’s chest, Cincinnati CBS and CW affiliate WKRC reported. The child was later found unresponsive “in a prone position with his face turned to the side and partially covered with a blanket.”
An autopsy reportedly determined the cause of death was “sudden explained death of an infant” with an intrinsic factor, citing that the baby had been “placed to sleep in a queen-sized mattress being shared with a 6-year-old sibling, along with numerous blankets and other miscellaneous items.”
Investigators say Davis attempted CPR after finding the infant unresponsive before rushing him to the hospital.
Court documents indicate Davis had prior involvement with the Department of Child Services and had signed a “Safe Sleep Safety Plan” in July 2024 — just weeks after the child was born — acknowledging that infants should sleep in a crib, bassinet, or play yard and that co-sleeping increases the risk of suffocation.
That plan also specifically stipulated that Davis was not to use marijuana while caring for her children. However, she told investigators that hours before finding her son unresponsive, she had gone upstairs to go smoke marijuana, leaving him and his sibling alone in the bed.
Authorities also said that Davis operated a state-licensed day care and reportedly had “extensive training on child care and safe sleeping environments,” according to the affidavit.
Interviews with other children in the home allegedly indicated that co-sleeping with the baby happened frequently.
“Due to Brooklyn [Davis’] actions and disregarding the safety plan and her training, DCS removed her two remaining children from her home,” the affidavit states.
Investigators said they attempted to follow up with Davis multiple times after initial interviews.
“She called me on February 18, 2025, and said she didn’t do anything wrong, her baby died of SIDS,” a detective reportedly wrote. “Brooklyn [Davis] never came in for an additional interview.”
The case was formally filed in March 2026. Davis was booked into jail on April 1 and appeared in court for an initial hearing on April 7. A bail review hearing was scheduled for Monday.