Dashana Mattica Fowler
Mom faces neglect charges in death of 2-year-old
Contributed By:The 411 News
Children may have been playing with loaded gun
Gary Police Commander Jack Hamady announced charges have been secured in the death of a 2-year-old from a gunshot wound.
On September 04, 2018 at approximately 6:51p.m., the Gary Police Department received a call for service in the 1700 block of Polk Street, Gary. The caller advised that an infant child had been shot.
Upon police officers arrival, they discovered a 2-year-old female who had sustained a single gunshot wound to the head.
The Gary Fire Department transported the child to Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus, in Gary, for treatment. Once the infant was stabilized in critical condition, she was flown to Comers Children Hospital for treatment.
An adult female and one adult male who were inside the residence were transported to the Gary Public Safety Building to be interviewed.
The two-year-old, Jayla Miller, died the next day.
After investigations by Gary Police detectives, the Lake County Prosecutors Office charged the child’s mother Dashana Mattica Fowler, 22, of Gary with one count, level one, Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death and three counts, level six, Neglect of a Dependent.
At this time, Hamady said, there are no formal charges for the male boyfriend who was present at the location.
“This unfortunate incident involved an innocent young child and could have been easily avoided by keeping firearms away from children,” Hamady said. “Firearms are not toys and should always be considered loaded and secured away from children. Firearm safety and education is paramount.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective Alex Jones at Gary/Lake County Metro Homicide Unit, 219 755-3855 or 1 866 CRIME GP.
Story Posted:09/06/2018
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