A 26-year-old man from Indiana is now facing nearly ten years behind bars after allegedly leaving his two young children unattended, leading to the tragic death of his 3-month-old daughter in her swing.

Legal documents reveal that Jacob Vera has confessed to neglecting a dependent, classified as a level 3 felony. Initially, he faced a more severe charge of neglect leading to death, which is a level 1 felony.

As detailed in a probable cause affidavit accessed by local NBC affiliate WTHR, officers from the Muncie Police Department responded to an emergency call at the Bestway Inn on 4000 N. Broadway, shortly after 8:30 p.m. on March 25, 2023, concerning a cardiac arrest case.

Upon arrival, officers discovered baby Isabella Vera lifeless in her swing. Emergency personnel declared her dead at the scene. Her mother reported that she had left Isabella and a 16-month-old sibling under Vera’s supervision around 2 p.m. to attend work.

Returning over six hours later, the mother found her elder child crying intensely in a playpen, with Vera absent. Isabella was found wrapped in a blanket and gently swaying in a baby swing, but when lifted, she did not respond as expected, according to the affidavit.

The mom ran to another room for help as Vera left with the family’s phone.

Medical personnel determined that rigor mortis had already set in and believed Isabella had been dead for at least two hours.

Detectives spoke with another resident of the motel and he said Vera came to him and offered him $130 for a ride to Chicago. The man declined. Vera had a friend drive him to Peoria, Illinois, more than 250 miles away. Cops caught up with him and asked him why he left.

“If I’m guilty of anything, it’s the leaving,” Vera allegedly said.

Vera said he left because he wanted to “avoid any drama” with the kids’ mom.

The medical examiner reportedly determined Isabella died of asphyxiation.

As part of the plea deal, Vera faces nine years behind bars, WTHR reported. He’s slated to be sentenced on Dec. 1.

Isabella’s obituary described her as a “beautiful little girl, with an infectious smile and beautiful eyes left our world way too early.”

“Bella was an incredibly happy baby, with a heart-warming personality all to her own,” the obituary said. “She was safe and loving in her mother’s arms, always with her pacifier and a stuffed animal not far away.”