An Indiana mother is demanding charges be filed against her babysitter after her 3-year-old daughter was found dead in a septic tank while she was caring for her.
Jill Humphries said she was devastated after learning that the underage babysitter-turned-niece would not be prosecuted in the death of her daughter Kenna in October.
“I want justice,” she told Fox19. “I don't feel like justice was served. “She neglected my child and my child ended up dead in a septic tank.”
Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel said she understood her disappointment that no charges were filed, but while his “sympathies are with her,” there are “some situations that are terrible accidents.”
Kenna, 3, was found dead in a septic tank in October while being cared for by her babysitter
The three-year-old's heartbroken mother Jill Humphries (pictured) said her daughter's death had “cost something irreplaceable” and called for charges to be laid over the tragedy
Humphries said the tragedy occurred hours after she dropped Kenna off at her niece's house near her home in Versailles, Indiana, and went to work.
A few hours later she received a frantic call from her sister who told her: 'There's something wrong with Kenna, she's not moving.' They're performing resuscitation measures.'
“She was hysterical,” she added.
Kenna had been found unconscious in a septic tank and it was believed that she had probably ripped off the septic tank lid and either intentionally climbed in or fell in.
Humphries said her daughter was “ice cold” when she was found and she “had feces in her hair and in her eyes.”
The grieving mother said she immediately left work and ran to the hospital, but by the time she arrived, her daughter was already pronounced dead.
“When she got there, they all knew she was gone,” she said. “The coroner said she had no heat left in her.”
“I rocked her for probably six and a half hours until the coroner and deputy coroner promised me they would take good care of her.”
Although the coroner ruled the death was a tragic accident not worth prosecuting, Humphries said she was heartbroken by the decision.
“She took something from me that is irreplaceable… Some days I can't get up, some days I can't get myself to work,” she added.
“Negligence… she neglected my child and as a result my child ended up dead in a septic tank.”
Kenna was described as “the most beautiful thing ever” by a relative who “loved Snapchat filters and loved sticking out her tongue.”
Kenna was found “freezing cold” in a septic tank in October in what officers said was a “horrific accident” in which it was believed she may have lifted the lid and either climbed in or fell
Humphries said she considered filing a lawsuit in response to the decision to seek civil damages, but the lack of any criminal prosecution has left her even more distressed.
Humphries previously took to social media to express her disbelief over the sudden loss of her “beautiful and angelic” baby daughter.
She said in a post this month: “I will say it over and over again until I can't say it anymore, (the babysitter) and who knows who else was present killed my baby and it's going under the rug.” swept.”
“I have to find a way to survive without my beautiful little girl.”
“She was beautiful and angelic until her last breath and I can’t imagine how this can happen.”
Humphries took to social media this month to express her disbelief over the sudden loss of her “beautiful and angelic” baby daughter
She said her family is not celebrating Christmas this year because the grief of losing her sister has been doubled just two days after losing her daughter.
In a GoFundMe set up to help the mother cope with the tragedies, a friend named Alicia said Humphries has been through “more than most of us could ever imagine.”
“After a series of tragic events in Jill's life…she needs her warriors to step up and help as much as they can,” the fundraiser added.
According to an online obituary for the three-year-old, Kenna's father has already died.
The obituary described her as “a cheerful and happy little girl” who was “full of life, had a great imagination and loved swimming very much.”
“She danced to all her little songs that she loved.” Kenna loved playing with Barbie and her little teddy bear “Ted” brought her so much joy and comfort. Kenna’s bright and happy smile will be greatly missed by her family and friends.”
While the child's loss continues to be acknowledged, another family member said in a Facebook post that Kenna was “the most beautiful thing ever.”
“She loved the Snapchat filters and sticks her tongue out: This one's for you, my little girl,” the post reads.
“There are absolutely no words. Sissy loves you more than you'll ever know, baby. Everyone loved you and you loved everyone.
“You were the sweetest, the silliest and the naughtiest ever.” Nothing but an angel. You will never be forgotten. You are loved so much. Sissy loves you, princess.'