Two-Year-Old Girl Left Alone Found Dead, Mom Charged With Neglect

Source: Marion County Jail / other

INDIANAPOLIS — She left her young children alone for days at a time and now one of them is dead.

That is why Chantell Gardner is now in the Marion County Jail on charges of neglect resulting in death. Court documents say Gardner would leave her three and two-year-old children alone at her home, while she would stay overnight with her boyfriend.

Investigators say Gardner told them she would come by once a day to bring them food and water.

Police say Gardner called 911 on Saturday after finding the two-year-old girl dead under a dresser when she went to check in on them.  Officers went to the home and found it in complete filth with smeared feces on the walls, trash scattered throughout, and rotting food everywhere.

The coroner says the girl’s body had bruising on her arms, legs, face, back, and privates. Gardner has denied physically or sexually abusing the children.

Gardner faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted of the charges she faces.