Indianapolis, Indiana — A 10-month-old boy suffered a catastrophic brain injury at an Indianapolis in-home daycare, where police say the facility’s owner may have violently slammed or shaken him after becoming frustrated with his crying.
The incident happened on March 13 at Safe Haven Daycare in the 3300 block of North Kenwood Avenue. According to a probable cause affidavit, emergency responders were called after the baby became unresponsive.
He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery to relieve swelling in his brain and remove portions of his skull, according to investigators. He was later placed in a medically induced coma.
Daycare Owner Faces Serious Criminal Charges
Lawanda Hardnett-Rados, 50, is facing charges of child neglect with serious bodily injury and battery with serious bodily injury, according to court records.
Investigators believe the baby’s injuries were inflicted after another daycare employee had left for the day, placing Hardnett-Rados in the home with the children.
The baby’s mother told police she had dropped her son off at approximately 5 a.m. She returned roughly 12 hours later after another child reportedly told her that her son was not breathing.
The mother rushed inside and found Hardnett-Rados performing CPR.
According to investigators, the mother said her son had no previous medical problems and appeared healthy when she dropped him off that morning.
Police Focus on What Happened After Employee Left
The daycare reportedly operates around the clock, with an employee caring for several babies and toddlers while Hardnett-Rados works another job.
According to the affidavit, the employee cared for the 10-month-old earlier that day and said he appeared fine, although somewhat sleepy.
The employee reportedly told investigators that Hardnett-Rados advised her to get an attorney. The employee responded that she did not need one because she had done nothing wrong.
After the employee left, Hardnett-Rados allegedly took over caring for the children.
She told investigators that the baby was crying and acting “whiny” before he began shivering. She said she picked him up and he suddenly became limp and unresponsive.
Someone then called 911.
Children Provide Investigators With Key Details
Detectives later interviewed some of the older children who were present at the daycare. One child reportedly recalled hearing a conversation involving Hardnett-Rados and her daughter about what happened to the baby.
According to police, the daughter said she remembered Hardnett-Rados taking the crying baby into another room. The suspect allegedly told him to “shut up before you make things worse.”
Another child reportedly told investigators that Hardnett-Rados sometimes hit children with an open or closed fist.
A separate child provided another account that investigators considered important. The child allegedly saw Hardnett-Rados grab the baby by the arm and carry him into another room.
The suspect reportedly appeared “irritated” and told the baby to “be quiet and stop crying.” When Hardnett-Rados eventually came back out with the child, the baby was reportedly no longer crying.
Doctors Say Injuries Were Inflicted
According to the affidavit, medical professionals determined that the baby’s injuries were consistent with inflicted trauma.
Investigators concluded that the injuries likely occurred after the other employee had left the daycare, leading them to focus their investigation on Hardnett-Rados.
Police believe the baby may have been violently shaken or slammed, resulting in the devastating brain injury that required emergency surgery.
The child’s current condition was not detailed in the information provided.
Daycare Owner Remains in Jail
Hardnett-Rados is currently being held in the Marion County Jail while the criminal case proceeds. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Friday.
The allegations remain accusations, and Hardnett-Rados is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The case is expected to move forward as prosecutors examine the medical evidence, witness statements and other information surrounding the baby’s injuries.
What do you think should happen when a caregiver is accused of seriously injuring a child in their care? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
