Woman charged in fatal house fire that killed seven-year-old boy

A woman in the Shelby County Jail will face charges connected to a child's death in a Rush County house fire.

The Rush County Sheriff’s Office reports Kirstin Bowers, 31, of Arlington, was charged Monday on charges of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death, Level 1 felony, and three counts of Neglect of a Dependent, a Level 6 felony. Bowers is in the Shelby County Jail on unrelated charges.

About 2 p.m. on June 5, Rush County Dispatch received a report of a house fire with a child inside near Arlington. Multiple fire personnel responded with the home fully engulfed upon their arrival.

Attempts were made to save the child, David Bowers, age 7, but were unsuccessful.

The Rush County Sheriff’s Office says there were numerous suspicious circumstances observed on the date of the fire. A statement was obtained from the mother, Kirstin Bowers. Bowers told investigators she fell asleep in a bed with a cigarette and when she awoke she found the bed on fire. Bowers said she tried to get the children out of the home one by one but the smoke and fire kept her from being able to rescue David.

The investigation shows Kirstin Bowers made two 911 calls on the date of the fire. The first was a 911 hangup. The second came about 15 minutes later. In that call, she reported the fire with entrapment.

Investigators compiled a timeline of events using surveillance footage, witness statements and digital technology that showed Bowers had left the residence and walked several blocks during the suspected time of the fire. During that time, Bowers left four small children inside the residence. Investigators suspect the three children exited the residence on their own while David Bowers was unable to escape.

“This is a tragic event for our community, and especially for the Town of Arlington, which has faced several heartbreaking incidents in recent years. Our agency would be remiss not to recognize the heroic efforts of the fire personnel from multiple departments – many of whom are volunteers. Their bravery and selflessness on that day deserved our deepest gratitude and highest commendation,” said Detective Randy M. Meek of the Rush County Sheriff’s Office.

The Rush County Sheriff’s Office was assisted with the investigation by the Indiana State Fire Marshal, Rushville Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Delaware County High Tech Crime unit, Indiana State Police, Rush County Coroner’s Office and Indiana Department of Child Services.

Fire departments at the scene on June 5 included Posey Township Volunteer, Carthage Volunteer, Manilla Volunteer, Rushville Township Volunteer, Rushville City and the Morristown Fire Department.