A 26-year-old mother in Indiana, Christin Donat, is facing neglect charges after her 2-month-old son was found severely malnourished and emaciated, with authorities comparing the child’s condition to that of a Holocaust survivor. The baby, who weighed just 6 pounds, 6 ounces only two ounces more than his birth weight was rushed to the hospital by a concerned friend who had removed him from Donat’s care. The baby was suffering from extreme malnutrition, dehydration, and starvation.
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with Indiana’s Department of Child Services, launched an investigation after the child was taken to the hospital. Sheriff Noah Robinson described the infant’s condition as indicative of extreme neglect. His emaciated body showed symptoms of “temporal wasting,” where the fat in the child’s face and body had been depleted in an effort to keep the body alive. Robinson noted that the baby’s skin hung from the bones, and his face appeared sunken in, which are signs of severe malnutrition.
After being hospitalized, the baby began to recover rapidly. Within days of receiving proper nutrition, he gained 3 pounds, indicating that his body was fully capable of digesting food. This swift improvement led investigators to conclude that the child’s failure to thrive had been the result of neglect, rather than any medical condition preventing him from eating.
Initially, Donat claimed she had been feeding her son an ounce of formula about six times a day but said he would spit it up frequently. She also told authorities that she was overwhelmed by work and personal issues, which contributed to her inability to care for the child properly. However, hospital staff were unable to replicate the infant’s alleged digestive issues, further casting doubt on Donat’s account. Their observations and tests indicated that the baby had no problem digesting food when he was given the appropriate amount.
As the investigation unfolded, Donat’s statements to the police appeared contradictory. She was unable to provide a consistent explanation for her son’s condition, which led investigators to believe that she had been “deliberately indifferent” to his needs. Donat’s neglect became clear, and authorities stated that if the child had not been rescued by her friend, the outcome could have been fatal.
Donat later admitted that she knew she should have taken better care of her son, acknowledging that he would not have survived without intervention. This admission came after the DCS case manager and hospital staff launched an investigation into the case. Donat was arrested on November 22 and charged with child neglect. She is currently being held in Vanderburgh County Jail with a bond set at $25,000.
The case has drawn attention to the tragic consequences of neglect and the importance of seeking help when overwhelmed. The child’s rapid recovery after receiving proper nutrition highlights the alarming degree of neglect that had occurred before he was taken to the hospital. This incident serves as a reminder of the vital role of concerned individuals who step in to protect vulnerable children, and the devastating impact that neglect can have on a child’s physical and emotional well-being.
