Two held in Putnam County Jail charged in death of an infant

An investigation into the death of an infant began a week ago when Indiana State Police learned of a deceased three-month old.

On May 17, the Vermillion County Coroner's Office contacted Indiana State Police in reference to a deceased infant that was brought to the Union Health Hospital located in Clinton. The deceased infant was brought to Union Health Hospital, by Ashlynn G. Casey, 18, and Jordan Washington, 24, parents of the infant, both of Rockville.

During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the death of the infant occurred in Rockville. An autopsy was completed on Monday at Regional Hospital. The results of the autopsy determined that the infant’s death was due to malnutrition.

After completing several interviews and executing a search warrant, Casey and Washington were both arrested Friday at the Putnamville State Police Post on an active warrant issued out of Parke County for neglect of a dependent resulting in death. Both were taken into custody without incident and transported to the Putnam County Jail. Casey and Washington were each charged with Neglect of Dependent Resulting in Death, Level 1 felony.

The investigation is being conducted by Indiana State Police Master Trooper Detective Ryan Winters, with the assistance of First Sergeant Brian Maudlin, and CSI Sergeant Kari Woodard. The Parke County Prosecutor’s Office, Rockville Police Department, and the Parke County Coroner’s Office also assisted. The investigation is ongoing.