On December 6, 2023, 9-month-old Ana Perez Hernandez was brought to Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis in an unresponsive state with severe injuries including bilateral subdural hematomas, parenchymal brain injury, cerebral edema, probable edema in the ligaments of the neck, and significant retinal hemorrhages. Her mother, Ingris Marleni-Hernandez (age 36), initially provided multiple false explanations for the injuries before ultimately demonstrating with a doll how she had violently shaken the baby — holding her nearly upside down and shaking her forcefully for approximately three minutes. Medical professionals confirmed that exceptionally violent shaking was a plausible mechanism for Ana's injuries, and the Child Protection Team determined Ana had experienced abusive head trauma. Ana died from craniocerebral trauma on December 11, 2023, and her death was ruled a homicide. Neighbors also reported that the mother had previously lost a six-month-old baby. Marleni-Hernandez was arrested and ultimately pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in death and aggravated battery, receiving a 30-year sentence.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The Fox59 article describes the mother admitting to violent shaking: "Ingris then took the doll, held her nearly upside down, and shook her forcefully for the next three minutes." A doctor stated that "violently shaking a baby would be a potential mechanism to explain Ana's injuries; however, the shaking would need to have been exceptionally violent and forceful." The Child Protection Team determined Ana experienced abusive head trauma.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
The Fox59 article explicitly states: "The Child Protection Team believed that Ana experienced abusive head trauma." The article also describes the mother demonstrating violent shaking of the baby, and medical professionals confirming that "violently shaking a baby would be a potential mechanism to explain Ana's injuries."
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The Fox59 article identifies the child's biological mother, Ingris Marleni-Hernandez, as the perpetrator. She admitted to violently shaking baby Ana and was arrested, charged, and ultimately sentenced to 30 years for neglect of a dependent resulting in death and aggravated battery.
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
The Fox59 article states: "Detectives then spoke with neighbors, where they learned that Ingrid had previously lost a six-month-old baby." This is a separate, prior incident involving the death of another child (sibling) of the same mother.
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The Fox59 article states: "Ingris Marleni-Hernandez, 36, was arrested for Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death, a Level 1 Felony; and Aggravated Battery, a Level 1 Felony." The WISH-TV article confirms: "IMPD arrested 36-year-old Ingrid Marleni-Hernandez for battery and neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury." She subsequently pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 years.
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The Fox59 article provides notable legal proceedings details: Ingris Marleni-Hernandez was initially charged with Level 1 felonies but ultimately pleaded guilty to two Level 3 felonies (neglect of a dependent resulting in death and aggravated battery) and was sentenced to 30 years with 735 days jail credit. Additionally, the article notes that "Detectives then spoke with neighbors, where they learned that Ingrid had previously lost a six-month-old baby," which raises significant concerns about systemic failure to protect children in this household, especially given the similarities to the current case involving a 9-month-old infant.
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