Arrests Made in Death of Infant

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the parents of a one-month old male infant who died as a result of neglect.

On Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at 2:27am the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and the McCutchanville Volunteer Fire Department responded to 6018 Locust Drive in Westbrook Trailer Park upon report of an infant that was not breathing. Medics attempted resuscitation before transporting the infant by ambulance. The infant was pronounced dead upon arrival at Deaconess Hospital.

The responding Sheriff’s deputies noted deplorable living conditions inside the residence. Approximately twelve dogs were inside the home, which was littered with feces and urine. Ants, roaches and animal waste were observed among dirty dishes stacked in the kitchen sink and on the counter. Deputies described the interior of the home as “unsanitary, filthy and cluttered”.

The father of the infant, Mr. John Albert Bivins, was questioned by Sheriff’s detectives. Mr. Bivins explained that the infant’s mother has a habit of nodding off while holding the infant and regularly abuses narcotic pain medication.

The mother of the infant, Ms. Beth Ann Montgomery, was also questioned by Sheriff’s detectives. Montgomery admitted to having earlier ingested more than her prescribed amount of pain medication. Montgomery also admitted to having consumed over the counter cold medicine during the morning and evening hours of September 29th.

Montgomery admitted that she awoke on the couch and found the infant lodged in between the couch cushions face down with his feet elevated higher than his head. Montgomery explained that she alerted Bivins that the child was not breathing and then called 911.

Based on the statements of Ms. Montgomery and Mr. Bivins, as well as medical and physical evaluation of the infant, the death is consistent with positional asphyxiation. Montgomery submitted to a urine drug screen and tested positive for Benzodiazepines, Oxycodone, THC and Opiates. Additional tests are pending. The couples’ three-year-old daughter was removed from the home by Child Protective Services.

The Coroner’s Office has scheduled an autopsy for this evening in order to determine a cause of death.

ARRESTED:

Pictured above: Beth Ann Montgomery, 29, of Evansville. Neglect of a Dependant Resulting in Death as a Level 1 Felony, Neglect of a Dependant as a Level 6 Felony (2 counts)

Pictured above: John Albert Bivins, 33, of Evansville. Neglect of a Dependant as a Level 6 Felony (2 counts)

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