On June 6, 2024, 5-year-old Mila Hollingsworth drowned in the Wabash River at Kimmel Park in Vincennes, Indiana. She was in the care of her stepmother, Deonna Hollingsworth (age 26), while her father was at work. The stepmother had taken Mila and her siblings to the river to swim. At some point the stepmother realized Mila was missing and 911 was called at approximately 2:40 PM. Multiple agencies searched using boats, sonar, and dive teams, and Mila's body was recovered near the park's boat ramp shortly after 7:00 PM. The stepmother provided inconsistent statements about what happened, exhibited erratic behavior, smelled of alcohol, had a blood alcohol content of 0.199, and tested positive for THC. Deonna Hollingsworth was arrested and charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death. The manner of death was officially ruled as "could not be determined," with an ICD-10 code (Y21) indicating undetermined intent. The child had a prior history with the Indiana Department of Child Services, including 5 unsubstantiated and 1 substantiated assessment, but there was no open DCS case at the time of the fatality.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
The fatality report (INDCS_24_IN_24_2405.pdf) explicitly states: "A 5-year-old girl died from drowning." The medical examiner report (INME_24_Hollingsworth.pdf) lists the Cause of Death as "DROWNING." All news articles corroborate that the child's body was recovered from the Wabash River.
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 (INDCS_24_IN_24_2405.pdf) states: "The stepmother took the child and siblings to a river to swim. At some point, she realized she could not find the child." The stepmother's BAC was 0.199 and she tested positive for THC while supervising children at a river. The DNR officer quoted in multiple news articles stated: "the child was put in a situation that endangered her life or health." This clearly describes inappropriate supervision — a heavily intoxicated caregiver took a 5-year-old to a river where the child wandered off/went missing and subsequently drowned.
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?
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?
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?
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)?
The fatality report (INDCS_24_IN_24_2405.pdf) identifies the perpetrator as "Stepmother" and states "Criminal charges: Yes." Multiple news articles confirm Deonna Hollingsworth, 26, identified as the child's stepmother, was arrested and charged with neglect of a dependent.
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)?
The fatality report (INDCS_24_IN_24_2405.pdf) explicitly states: "Number of previous unsubstantiated assessments for victim: 5" and "Number of previous substantiated assessments for victim: 1." This clearly documents a significant history of child protection reports prior to the child's death.
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?
Multiple sources confirm the stepmother was arrested and charged. The fatality report (INDCS_24_IN_24_2405.pdf) states "Criminal charges: Yes." The Sun Commercial article states "Deonna Hollingsworth, 26, of Vincennes, was arrested Thursday evening and charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death." The WISH-TV article adds that "Jail records show that Hollingsworth was being held on a $75,000 cash bond, and faces charges of neglect of a dependent."
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_2405.pdf) states: "she smelled of alcohol and her blood alcohol content was 0.199. The stepmother submitted to a drug screen and was positive for THC." This explicitly documents substance use by the caregiver at the time of the child's death.
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the source material. The medical examiner report (INME_24_Hollingsworth.pdf) lists the manner of death as "Could not be determined" and includes ICD-10 code Y21, which corresponds to "Drowning and submersion, undetermined intent." This suggests authorities could not determine whether the drowning was accidental or intentional, which is particularly significant given the fatality report's note that "The stepmother provided inconsistent statements as to what occurred prior to her realizing the child was missing" and her severely intoxicated state (BAC 0.199, positive for THC). Additionally, the fatality report documents a substantial prior CPS history with 5 unsubstantiated assessments and 1 substantiated assessment for the victim, yet there was no open DCS involvement at the time of the fatal event, raising potential systemic concerns about case closure and monitoring.
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