Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?

The DCS fatality report (INDCS_2023_RH.pdf) states the mother reported "the child had not eaten for five days." The WTHR article states: "IEMS workers reported they believed the children were potentially dehydrated or malnourished and were brought into Riley Hospital for Children for further medical evaluation." The fox59 article also notes that "lack of appetite" was one of the signs of severe infection that was ignored.

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

Multiple sources describe extensive medical neglect. The fox59 article states: "It is clear the wound was not cleaned or managed properly" and "Rosa's mother had not taken her daughter for any medical attention prior to coming to the ER." Doctors told IMPD "there was an 'extremely high' level of concern of neglect for Rosa" and "Riley employees told IMPD that medical records indicate a history of skin infections with a delay in medical care." The wound from a 2020 skin graft required daily cleaning but was not managed. Multiple signs of severe infection were ignored, including ulceration, skin redness, draining puss, fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, and altered mental status. The DCS fatality report (INDCS_2023_RH.pdf) also confirms the child died from complications of an untreated wound infection.

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The DCS fatality report (INDCS_2023_RH.pdf) identifies the "Perpetrator: Mother." The fox59 article confirms the mother, also named Rosa Hargrave, was charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death (Level 1 felony) and ultimately pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent as a Level 3 felony. She was the child's biological mother and primary caregiver responsible for the child's wound care.

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

The fox59 article identifies Charles Turner as the mother's boyfriend who lived in the home for 5-6 years. He was charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury. He "pled guilty to 2 neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury charges." The doctor who evaluated the case stated that "Rosa's mother, Charles Turner and Felicia Hargrave all should have had extensive knowledge of skin injuries given the 12-year-old's past medical history."

Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)

The fox59 article identifies Felicia Hargrave as "Rosa's aunt" who was also living in the home and was charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury. She "pled guilty to 2 counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, and 2 charges of neglect resulting in bodily injury were dropped." She was directly involved in Rosa's care, claiming to have last bathed Rosa on Feb. 21.

Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)

Multiple sources explicitly state Rosa had neurological/developmental disabilities. The fox59 article describes her as "a 12-year-old autistic, nonverbal Indianapolis Public School student" and states "she had been diagnosed with autism, ADHD and asthma, and that she was nonverbal." The disability-memorial.org page lists her disabilities as "Autism, ADHD, asthma." The DCS fatality report also describes her as a "12-year-old girl" and the WTHR article refers to her as "a semi-verbal child who had autism."

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

The DCS fatality report (INDCS_2023_RH.pdf) states: "Number of previous unsubstantiated assessments for victim: 27" and "Number of previous substantiated assessments for victim: 2." It also notes "Perpetrator history of substantiated assessments: 1." This represents an extraordinarily high number of prior child protection contacts.

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

The fox59 article states: "34-year-old Rosa D. Hargrave, 31-year-old Felicia L. Hargrave and 56-year-old Charles A. Turner were all arrested on April 12 for their involvement in Rosa's death." Rosa D. Hargrave was charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death (Level 1 felony) and neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury (Level 5 felony). All three adults were charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to various counts.

Several notable details emerge from the text. First, the DCS fatality report documents an extraordinary 27 previous unsubstantiated assessments and 2 previous substantiated assessments for this child, indicating massive prior child welfare system involvement that failed to prevent her death. Second, there is a significant discrepancy in the manner of death: the vital records document (INME_2023_RH.pdf) lists the manner of death as "Natural," while the fox59 article states the Marion County Coroner's Office "determined she likely died due to sepsis from her infection and that the manner of death was likely a homicide." Third, the sentencing outcomes were notably lenient: the mother pleaded guilty to a Level 3 felony and received "three years on home detention followed by four years of probation" with her Level 1 felony charges dismissed; the aunt received "14 days in prison and 896 days probation" but served no prison time; and Turner received "179 days in prison and 916 days probation" but also served no prison time due to jail credit. Fourth, the mother's account of the child's medical history contained significant inconsistencies, including claiming Rosa's gallbladder had ruptured when in fact it was her appendix, and claiming the skin graft was related to surgery when the biological father's guardian stated it was caused by improper cleaning.