A tragic incident occurred in November 2022 when a toddler, Maeve Simon, died after a heavy suitcase fell on her neck while she was confined in her crib. Her parents, Kodi Glenn Simon, a former U.S. Marine, and Kateri Ann Simon, have been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter. The couple allegedly caused their daughter’s death through negligent actions, which led to her asphyxiation. The indictment states that the parents’ actions were without malice, yet they were responsible for the child’s death due to lack of caution in a situation that could have resulted in harm.
The incident took place at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, and involved the Simons’ attempts to keep Maeve from escaping her crib. The toddler had been having trouble sleeping, frequently climbing out of her crib and disturbing her siblings, aged 4 and 6. Concerned for Maeve’s safety, the parents tried various methods to confine her. They first placed her in a Pack N’ Play, but Maeve was able to climb out. The Simons then covered the Pack N’ Play with a zip-on mesh top and restricted her movement by putting her in a sleep sack. Despite these efforts, Maeve continued to escape.
In response, the parents began stacking a 50-pound suitcase filled with books on top of the mesh covering, along with a foam couch, in an attempt to keep Maeve confined. On the night of November 26, 2022, Kodi Simon put the children to bed and heard Maeve babbling for about 15 minutes before he assumed she had fallen asleep. His wife, Kateri, came home later that night, and the following morning, around 9:30 a.m., she discovered Maeve trapped inside the Pack N’ Play, with the suitcase and other items pinning her neck down.
The parents immediately called 911, but Maeve was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) later conducted an investigation, concluding that the parents knowingly placed objects over the toddler’s Pack N’ Play to keep her confined. Although they did not intend to harm her, their actions ultimately led to her tragic death. The investigation also noted that Maeve’s siblings appeared to be well cared for, and there were no previous reports of abuse or neglect involving the children.
Kodi Simon, who had previously pleaded guilty to child endangerment in a court martial, was arrested and is being transported from Ohio to Florida. Kateri Simon was released on a $20,000 unsecured bond while awaiting further legal proceedings. The case highlights the dangers of using unsafe methods to confine children, especially when they are unable to escape from potentially hazardous situations.
