A quiet stretch of East 13th Street in Muncie turned into the center of a child neglect case on Friday when neighbors spotted a 6-year-old nonverbal autistic girl running alone and unclothed, according to court documents. Neighbors and first responders stepped in, and the girl was placed with a social worker while officers tried to figure out who she was and where she lived. A short time later, authorities arrested her father, 42-year-old Bobby Franklin Brown Jr., and charged him in the case.
Officers had been dispatched after a report that a child was missing from her mother, and witnesses told police they saw a young girl running east on 13th Street with no adult nearby. Court papers describe the child as autistic and nonverbal and note that she was not wearing clothing when officers found her. Police requested that a social worker remain with the girl as the investigation unfolded. Those details are laid out in the affidavit of probable cause, as reported by Fox59.
Neglect Charge and What It Means
According to court filings, Brown was booked on a felony neglect-of-a-dependent charge. Under Indiana law (IC 35-46-1-4), neglect of a dependent is generally a Level 6 felony, though it can be elevated to more serious levels if the neglect results in bodily injury, serious bodily injury or death, or if the victim has a disability, per Justia. Prosecutors will determine the exact charge level and how to proceed based on the evidence gathered by investigators.
Investigators' Account
The affidavit alleges that Brown did not call police, search for the child, or alert anyone for roughly 30 minutes after learning she was missing. A family member told investigators he realized the girl was gone at about 10:45 a.m., according to the court documents. The filing also indicates that this is reportedly the second documented incident in which one of Brown’s children left the house and walked down the road without supervision. The Delaware County investigation remains active, and officials have said more information will be released as it becomes available, according to Fox59.
Next Steps and Resources
Prosecutors and local law enforcement will continue reviewing the case, and any formal filings or hearings will appear in Delaware County court records. Members of the public can consult the Delaware County Clerk for information on accessing court records and conducting case searches.
The Indiana Department of Child Services oversees statewide procedures and resources for cases that involve alleged neglect. For reporting guidelines and support services, see Indiana DCS. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact local investigators or the Delaware County prosecutor's office.
