Police officer and his wife, who forced their 6-year-old daughter outside in the freezing cold as punishment because beating her and other measures were not effective, plead not guilty
Indiana – In a disturbing incident from Indiana, a police officer, identified as Cody S., and his wife, Kylie S., are facing severe repercussions after being charged with felony child neglect. The charges stem from their controversial disciplinary methods involving their 6-year-old daughter, who was reportedly made to stand outside in near-freezing temperatures as punishment.
The case came to light on January 19 when multiple bystanders called 911 after seeing a young girl standing outside holding an embarrassing sign in 18-degree weather. The sign’s message, “I want to stab and kill my brother. I even take an antipsychotic. If you need to give pity, then give it to the victims,” alarmed the community and prompted immediate police intervention. Responding to the scene were officers from the Indiana State Police, along with Cody himself, who was off-duty but arrived with his police supervisor. The documents revealed that Cody admitted to making his daughter stand outside for 30-minute intervals with brief 10-minute periods inside to warm up. He justified this punishment by claiming none other had worked given her severe behavioral issues, which included threats of violence within the family.
This incident was not an isolated one. The probable cause affidavit indicates that the parents had previously subjected their daughter to public humiliation as a form of punishment. On different occasions, she was forced to hold signs with messages like, “I pee on everything and cover it up like a cat,” and while in Walmart, “I lie to hurt other people.” These actions were intended as corrective measures for her alleged behavioral problems, which the parents said included attention-seeking actions and threats against her younger brother.
During an exchange captured on body camera footage on January 19, Cody detailed the extensive but unsuccessful attempts to manage his daughter’s behavior through therapy, a DCS caseworker, and a school wraparound program. According to reports, the parents also said that beating their 6-year-old daughter and other disciplinary measures were not effective. They described the extreme difficulties they faced, including her being dismissed from hospital care on grounds that could be seen as non-cooperative.
The severity of the couple’s disciplinary tactics led to their arrest and charges of felony child neglect, with the case rapidly gaining attention due to Cody’s role as a police officer. The Board of Public Works responded by suspending Cody without pay pending the outcome of the investigation, which was handed over to the Indiana State Police shortly after the incident came to light. In court, both Cody and Kylie pleaded not guilty to the charges. The unfolding case has stirred a community and professional backlash, highlighting significant concerns over the appropriateness of their disciplinary methods, especially considering the child’s diagnosed behavioral disorders.
As the legal proceedings continue, with Kylie’s next court appearance scheduled for May 22 and Cody’s for May 8, the community and the police department are grappling with the implications of the case. It raises profound questions about child welfare, the limits of parental discipline, and the responsibilities of law enforcement professionals both in and out of uniform. The case not only underscores the importance of appropriate child-rearing practices but also serves as a stark reminder of the critical eye with which police officers’ actions are viewed by the public. The final outcomes of this case will likely resonate well beyond the confines of the courtroom, influencing public opinion on child welfare and law enforcement integrity.
