The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has made an arrest in a disturbing case of fatal child abuse. According to IMPD, Southwest District officers responded to the 6500 block of Denver Drive for a report of an unresponsive child around 5:12 p.m. on April 9, 2024. At the scene, officers located an unresponsive 5-year-old girl inside the residence.
The Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the girl as Kinsleigh Welty. IMPD says the victim was malnourished. She was transported to Riley Hospital for Children where she was pronounced deceased. IMPD Child Abuse detectives responded to the hospital and the scene to initiate the investigation. The Indiana Department of Child Services responded to the scene and took custody of other children inside the residence.
IMPD consulted with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office leading to the arrest of Kinsleigh’s mother, 29-year-old Toni McClure, and her boyfriend, 27-year-old Ryan Smith. McClure is charged with Murder and Child Neglect Resulting in Death. Smith is charged with Child Neglect Resulting in Death.
Jay Skelton is an independent crime journalist with a passion for covering the uncovered and the under covered.