A Gary foster mother was charged with murder in connection with the Thursday death of a 20-month-old girl who was under her care, authorities said.
Jamila Hodge, 32, also faces charges of aggravated battery, neglect of a dependent resulting in death and other felonies in connection with the death, Lt. Dawn Westerfield of the Gary Police Department said.
The Lake County coroner’s office identified the infant as Emma Salinas and ruled her death a homicide. A determination about the extent of her injuries is still pending.
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Gary police on Thursday found Emma dead at her home in the 7500 block of Ash Avenue at about 11:40 a.m after receiving a call about an unresponsive child.
The house was quiet Sunday, and no one answered the door despite the fact that there were several cars parked on the property.
John Chisholm, a neighbor, said people moved into the residence about a year ago. There was never any trouble there, he said, until Thursday.
“I looked out the window and I saw the police and the coroner there — two police cars, then three. The county and state police were there,” Chisholm said.
Referring to the residents of the home, he said, “They were quiet, so I never talked to them.”
He did recall “two little Hispanic girls” outside a couple weeks ago.
“They were out in the yard playing. It was warm that day,” he said.