INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A 7-month-old Indiana boy has died after authorities say he was left on a couch for an extended period while his mother was outside drinking and talking with neighbors.
Nasha Williams, 28, is charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death and neglect of a dependent, according to Marion County court records.
The child, identified by local reports as Syncere Williams, was one of five children in Williams’ care. He also had a twin brother.
The incident happened March 30 at Williams’ home on South Bancroft Street in Indianapolis, where a routine day eventually turned into a medical emergency involving her infant son.
Mother Says She Left Baby on Couch
According to a probable cause affidavit, Williams had taken all five children with her earlier that day while making trips to nearby stores.
After returning home from Walmart at about 2:30 p.m., Williams reportedly cleaned up around the house before putting the twins on a small couch.
She said she propped one twin on one end of the couch and left Syncere on the other end.
Williams told investigators that Syncere was drinking from a bottle while she went to prepare dinner and speak with a neighbor.
The timeline she provided to police later became a major focus of the investigation.
At first, Williams reportedly said she had been outside for less than five minutes. She later acknowledged that she may have been outside for approximately an hour and a half, saying she became “wrapped up” talking with neighbors.
Neighbor Finds Baby Not Breathing
A neighbor eventually noticed that Syncere was not breathing. According to investigators, both twins were still on the couch and there was no other adult inside the home at the time.
The neighbor told Williams to call 911 and also contacted Williams’ mother. The neighbor reportedly told police that Williams smelled of liquor and appeared to have slurred speech.
When Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers arrived, they found Syncere in his mother’s arms. An officer reportedly asked Williams whether she was holding the child, but she did not respond.
Syncere was rushed to a nearby children’s hospital and was listed in critical condition.
Williams initially told authorities that her son had no known medical problems and said she had put him down before going upstairs to fold laundry.
Baby Taken Off Life Support Weeks Later
Doctors continued treating Syncere after the emergency, but his condition remained extremely serious.
On April 22, the infant was taken off life support after doctors determined that his brain damage left him with very little hope of meaningful recovery.
An autopsy later listed his cause of death as “unexplained sudden death” with “extrinsic factors identified.” The medical examiner did not determine a manner of death.
Investigators continued examining what happened inside the home and how long Syncere had been left unattended. During an interview, police asked Williams to demonstrate what she remembered using a reenactment doll.
Williams reportedly said Syncere would sometimes take a blanket and roll onto his side to stay warm.
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She told investigators that when she and the neighbor found him, he was rolled onto his left side, not moving, with a blanket around his face.
Police also documented that the baby was found between a pillow and the couch cushion.
Alcohol Becomes Part of Investigation
Williams acknowledged having alcohol that night but initially denied being intoxicated.
According to police, she later responded, “you could say that,” when told that officers and the neighbor believed she was intoxicated.
She also reportedly admitted drinking approximately a half pint of Jose Cuervo tequila.
Investigators obtained a blood sample from Williams the following day. Authorities said the test showed a 0.159% blood alcohol concentration.
Police also reviewed GPS data associated with Williams’ movements.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the data showed Williams was primarily located outside her residence from about 4 p.m. until the 6:45 p.m. 911 call, with very few data points indicating she was inside the home during that period.
Mother Faces Neglect Charges
Williams was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Marion County Jail, where she is being held without bond.
She faces charges of neglect of a dependent resulting in death and neglect of a dependent. Williams is scheduled for an initial court hearing Tuesday.
The case remains focused on the circumstances surrounding Syncere’s death, including the amount of time he was left unattended and the events that occurred before the emergency call.
For the family, the tragedy has taken the life of a 7-month-old child, while investigators and prosecutors now work to determine the full circumstances surrounding his death.
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