Report of Children Playing in the Street Results in Arrest

Putnam County—On Saturday afternoon, April 14, at 12:46, Indiana State Police Master Trooper Troy Sunier was dispatched to 314 Someday Way near Cloverdale for a report of two small children playing in the street wearing only their undergarments.

Preliminary investigation revealed a concerned citizen had noticed the two young males, ages two and three, playing in the street wearing only diapers and appearing very unclean. The concerned citizen called police and before law enforcement arrived, the boy’ father walked over and retrieved the boys.

Master Trooper Sunier arrived within fifteen minutes of the call and approached the 314 Someday Way residence to check on the boys. The residence appeared very disheveled with soiled and stained carpets, filthy kitchen and living areas, trash and soiled diapers strewn about, remnants of old food scattered about, sharp kitchen instruments within reach of the children, bathroom facilities inadequate, the overwhelming smell of urine and feces, and many other miscellaneous unhealthy and dangerous environmental hazards.

A four-month-old male (same mother) was also found in the residence in a similar condition and exposed to the same environmental hazards.

The father, 24-year-old Robert J. Henline, was taken into custody and incarcerated in the Putnam County Jail on a preliminary charge of felony Neglect of a Dependent. The 26-year-old mother of the three assisted the Department of Child Services with relocation of the children to a safer environment and is expected to be summoned into Putnam County Court on similar charges. The children were not hospitalized and are currently in the care of adults appointed by Department of Child Services.

The case was investigated by ISP Master Trooper Troy Sunier. Assisting were Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies Brian Helmer and Scott Ducker, Indiana Department of Child Services Putnam County and the Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office.

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.