Evansville mother; child’s boyfriend arrested after child found unconscious

Warning: Some details in this case may be disturbing.

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – A woman and her 16-year-old boyfriend were arrested Friday on numerous charges after a 4-year-old was found unconscious, according to Evansville police.

According to a press release from the EPD, officers were dispatched to the 4500 block of Spring Valley Road around 9 a.m. after receiving reports of a child not breathing. Officers said the child “felt cold” and emergency crews began performing CPR on the child. Authorities say the child is currently alive, but his brain is barely active.

Authorities say the mother, Destiny Rhoades, 23, was at work when her daughter was found by a roommate. According to EPD, Rhoades’ 16-year-old boyfriend was found in the apartment along with three other adult women who also live with them.

Officials say the teenage friend was tracked down by police in February when he was 15 after he was reported missing in Fort Wayne. The teen was placed in a juvenile hall at the time, but authorities say he escaped from the building and was later found with Rhoades in her home. Rhoades was arrested and charged with criminal mischief of a minor. A news release said the teen disappeared again around the time Rhoades was scheduled to appear in court in Evansville in April.

A roommate told police they noticed the child had bruises on her body, particularly around her neck, and that she had a human bite mark on her forearm. Investigators say the 16-year-old admitted to biting the child, but only after she bit him first. A roommate also reportedly told authorities that the child was “staring off into the distance and being nauseated” while in Rhoades’ care Thursday night.

Rhoades was arrested and charged with neglect of a dependent person causing great bodily injury, inducing a minor to commit crimes, and invasion of privacy. The juvenile was arrested and charged with assault causing great bodily injury and making false statements.

According to EPD, his name will be released if the reasons for his arrest change and the minor is transferred to adult court.