Overview

• Lake County prosecutors charged Raymon Lamar Bell, 35, with multiple felonies, including neglect resulting in death, unlawful possession by a serious violent felon, reckless homicide, and obstruction of justice.
• Charging documents say Adrian Brown, 9, found an unsecured handgun in the Gary home on Madison Street and was later pronounced dead at Methodist Northlake Hospital.
• The Lake County coroner ruled the death a homicide, and Gary police say the siblings, 11 and 13, had been left alone while the adults went to a store.
• Investigators cite Bell’s prior convictions — aggravated battery in 2015 and unlawful possession by a serious violent felon in 2024 — and note he appears to be on probation.
• A police affidavit alleges Bell removed the firearm and initially avoided contact before denying knowledge of a gun; he was booked into Lake County Jail as the case continues, with the children now in their grandmother’s care.