Bodhi Miller, a 5-month-old boy born premature at home, died on January 18, 2024, in Elkhart, Indiana, from acute fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity, ruled a homicide. The child lived with his parents, Owen Miller (43) and Nichole Neely (42), and two siblings (ages 6 and 8) in a home described as filled with trash, rotting food, and extreme squalor — the bedroom door could only open halfway due to debris, and the bed where the child slept was almost entirely covered in trash. The mother reported placing the infant in bed with the father and leaving the room briefly; when she returned, the child was limp and unresponsive. The father ran to a neighbor in the medical field, who attempted CPR, but the child was pronounced dead at Elkhart General Hospital. Both parents tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine, and fentanyl; the father was treated for an overdose with two doses of Narcan. The two surviving siblings were also hospitalized and treated for accidental fentanyl poisoning. Both parents were charged with one count of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death and two counts of Neglect of a Dependent.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The fatality report (INDCS_24_IN_24_1722.pdf) states the child "died from acute fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity" and "the child's toxicology was positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine." The vital records document (INME_24_Miller.pdf) confirms the cause of death as "ACUTE FENTANYL AND METHAMPHETAMINE TOXICITY." Additionally, the news article (abc57.com) reports that "The other two children had their urine tested at the hospital and were treated for accidental fentanyl poisoning," indicating multiple children were affected by drug exposure.
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)?
The fatality report states the mother "placed the child in bed with the father." The wndu.com news article reveals that "Miller was treated for an overdose and was given two doses of Narcan." The father was severely drug-impaired to the point of overdose, and the mother left the infant in his care while she went to the kitchen. Both parents tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine. Leaving an infant in the sole care of a drug-impaired adult who subsequently required Narcan treatment constitutes inappropriate supervision.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The abc57.com news article states the mother "said that the infant was born premature at home" to drug-using parents who tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine, and fentanyl. The autopsy revealed "irritant contact dermatitis (diaper rash), acute pulmonary edema, and blood culture was positive for Staphylococcus epidermis." The combination of a premature home birth with apparently no medical supervision, untreated diaper rash, a staph infection, and living in extreme squalor with drug-addicted parents implies a pattern of medical neglect, though no source explicitly labels it as such.
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?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
The fatality report (INDCS_24_IN_24_1722.pdf) states "the mother stated she placed the child in bed with the father," indicating co-sleeping with an adult. The abc57.com news article further describes the bed: "the bed was almost completely covered in trash. The door could only be opened about halfway, as the trash on the floor prevented him from opening it further. He observed a baby bottle on the bed containing brownish colored liquid. A small fly was floating inside the baby bottle." The bed was shared with a drug-impaired adult and covered in trash, constituting an unsafe sleeping environment for an infant.
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The fatality report (INDCS_24_IN_24_1722.pdf) lists "Father" as one of the perpetrators. The abc57.com news article identifies Owen Miller as the father, stating the charges are "in relation to the death of their six-month-old son." The child's last name (Bodhi Miller) matches the father's name (Owen Miller), consistent with a biological relationship.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report (INDCS_24_IN_24_1722.pdf) lists "mother" as one of the perpetrators. The abc57.com news article identifies Nichole Neely as the mother. She states "that she breastfeeds him and supplements that with formula," consistent with being the biological mother.
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?
The abc57.com news article states: "She later said that the infant was born premature at home and that she breastfeeds him and supplements that with formula." The infant was explicitly described as born premature.
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
The fatality report (INDCS_24_IN_24_1722.pdf) states: "Perpetrator history of substantiated assessments: Father, 0; mother, 1." The mother had one prior substantiated child protection assessment before this child's death, indicating a history of child protection involvement for the family.
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)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The abc57.com news article states: "Owen Miller and Nichole Neely are each facing one count of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death and two counts of Neglect of a Dependent in relation to the death of their six-month-old son." The fatality report also confirms: "Criminal charges: Yes."
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?
The fatality report (INDCS_24_IN_24_1722.pdf) states: "The parents submitted to drug screens and were positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine and fentanyl." The abc57.com article notes "Officer's observed signs of drug use on Neely's body." The wndu.com article reports that "Miller was treated for an overdose and was given two doses of Narcan before being transported to the hospital."
Notable Details
Several substantive details emerge from the sources that are not fully captured by the preceding questions. First, the wndu.com article reports that "Miller was treated for an overdose and was given two doses of Narcan before being transported to the hospital," indicating the father himself was overdosing at or near the time of the child's death. Second, both news articles report that two other children (ages 6 and 8) in the home "were treated for accidental fentanyl poisoning" at the hospital, meaning all children in the household were exposed to dangerous drugs. Third, the abc57.com article describes extreme home conditions: "the bed was almost completely covered in trash," the bedroom door could only open halfway, a baby bottle contained "brownish colored liquid" with "a small fly floating inside," and the other children were "found barefoot in the home" with only a small electric heater for warmth. These details collectively paint a picture of extreme and pervasive neglect affecting all children in the household, not just the deceased infant.
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