An Indiana father has been charged with murder after authorities allege he fatally abused his 3-month-old daughter during the first time he was ever left alone with her, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Curtis Jenkins, 24, is currently detained in the Marion County Jail following a preliminary murder charge in connection with the July 18 death of his infant daughter at Riley Hospital for Children. The child died on July 21 after being taken off life support.
Background
The tragic sequence began on July 18 when police and paramedics were called to a residence on Station Street in northeast Indianapolis around 12:40 p.m. for a welfare check on the infant, according to court documents obtained by WTHR and WXIN.
Jenkins initially told investigators that his daughter had "got too hot in the car" because the vehicle lacks air conditioning, claiming he had been driving around with her when he noticed she was overheating and attempted to give her water. The father said he called 911 after realizing the baby was not breathing normally.
The child was transported to Riley Hospital for Children, where she remained on life support for several days before dying from her injuries.
The Investigation
Medical examination revealed catastrophic injuries that contradicted Jenkins' account. A doctor at the hospital determined the infant suffered three separate brain bleeds, hemorrhages in both retinas, broken ribs, and "too many hemorrhages to count" throughout her spine—injuries described as inconsistent with a hot car death.
"If he found out who put their hands on his baby, he would murder them," according to court documents. Jenkins also stated during an interview that he "did not know what happened to her" and insisted he would never hurt his children. Police ceased questioning after Jenkins requested an attorney.
Investigators obtained security camera footage from the apartment complex—footage Jenkins himself had reportedly contacted the property manager seeking access to. The surveillance allegedly captures disturbing audio and video evidence of the father's conduct while alone with the infant.
"You keep crying," Jenkins allegedly tells the child in one portion of the recording. "I don't want to deal with you."
The footage also shows Jenkins yelling at the crying infant, "loudly and angrily" commanding her to "shut up" repeatedly, according to law enforcement. Audio captured various thuds, smacking sounds, and what authorities described as a car seat being dropped.
"At one point there is a full minute of what sounds like cries of pain," investigators noted in court documents, along with "strange noises that almost sound like sucking coming from the apartment." Later footage allegedly shows Jenkins shouting his daughter's name "as if he were attempting to rouse her" followed by the words: "Oh, s—."
Detectives spoke with the victim's mother, who told them she had been reluctant to leave her baby with Jenkins because "there have been DCS investigations involving his other children." She confirmed this was the only time Jenkins had ever been alone with the infant. A video shared by the mother showed the child appearing healthy just before Jenkins picked her up.
The mother also disclosed that Jenkins had previously pressured her to obtain Plan B or consider abortion, according to law enforcement.
Key Takeaways
- Curtis Jenkins, 24, has been charged with preliminary murder in connection with his infant daughter's death on July 21 at Riley Hospital for Children
- Medical examiners documented three separate brain bleeds, retinal hemorrhages, broken ribs, and numerous spinal hemorrhages—injuries inconsistent with heat exposure
- Apartment complex surveillance allegedly captured Jenkins repeatedly telling the crying baby to "shut up" and stating: "I don't want to deal with you"
- This was the first time Jenkins had ever been left alone with his 3-month-old daughter, according to the victim's mother
- The mother told investigators she had previously been reluctant to leave her children with Jenkins due to prior DCS investigations involving his other kids
What's Next
Jenkins remains detained in Marion County Jail awaiting a formal charging decision by local prosecutors. His case is expected to proceed through the Marion County court system, where he will face formal charges that could include murder and child abuse counts. No court dates have been scheduled as of publication.
The investigation continues as authorities compile evidence for presentation to a grand jury.