Overview
- A newborn was found abandoned in a tree line near Lace Bark Lane and Long Wharf Drive on Friday, July 24, and was taken to Riley Hospital for Children where the baby is in stable condition.
- A community tip led investigators to the infant’s 16-year-old mother, who was located days later and given medical treatment.
- Police arrested 21-year-old Hernsley Pierre while he was visiting the teen at the hospital and booked him on preliminary counts of sexual misconduct with a minor.
- Court documents record that the teen identified Pierre as the father and that Pierre denied paternity while saying the girl misstated her age and that he continued sexual contact after learning her age.
- The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department says the investigation is ongoing and asks the public to contact IMPD Child Abuse detectives or Crime Stoppers, and advocates are urging wider public awareness of Indiana’s Safe Haven law that allows anonymous surrender of unharmed newborns up to 60 days old.