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Toddler Ate Diapers, Drywall Before Death
8 Apr
Summary
- Toddler died from malnutrition and dehydration.
- Boy ate diapers and drywall due to suspected hunger.
- Parents arrested on murder and neglect charges.
An Indiana toddler, identified as 2-year-old Erik Reichard, died from severe malnutrition and dehydration on March 31. Responding officers found the boy unresponsive and later pronounced him dead at the scene. A detective noted extremely poor living conditions in the home, with feces, insects, and debris scattered throughout.
Investigators discovered that Erik had been eating his own diapers and drywall, which authorities suspect was a direct result of severe hunger. An autopsy confirmed the presence of foreign material consistent with diapers and drywall in his colon. His parents, Katherine Carter and Trevor Reichard-Hayes, were arrested on April 3.
They face charges including murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, and neglect resulting in serious bodily injury. Two other children were removed from the home by child services. Carter has a court hearing scheduled for May 14, while Reichard-Hayes is expected in court on May 28.
