A mother and her husband were arrested after allegedly refusing to pick up their 13-year-old daughter from a hospital, instead opting to get drunk and pass out. The incident occurred at Ascension St. Vincent Evansville Hospital in Indiana, where the child had been admitted for a mental health evaluation following an argument with her mother.
The situation began when the teenager arrived at the hospital on her own in the afternoon, seeking a mental health check after an altercation with her mother, Amanda D. Osmon. After the evaluation, hospital staff made several attempts to contact Osmon, but she did not respond. At around 7 p.m., a hospital social worker was able to reach Jeffrey Scheda, Osmon’s husband, by phone. However, when asked to have Osmon call the hospital, Scheda reportedly hung up on the social worker.
Later, at around 10 p.m., the social worker was able to contact Osmon. The conversation quickly became heated, with Osmon reportedly becoming agitated and arguing with the social worker about who would pick up the child. According to the social worker, Osmon said, “I’m not dealing with this s tonight,” before abruptly ending the call. The social worker described Osmon’s tone as sounding intoxicated.
The following morning, police officers visited the home of Osmon and Scheda. When they arrived, both parents admitted to being intoxicated and having passed out after drinking. Osmon told police that the argument with her daughter had escalated when the teen bit her, but she also claimed that the hospital had not contacted her about the child’s discharge until 2:52 a.m. on Sunday. However, Osmon was unable to provide any evidence to support this claim.
Both Osmon and Scheda were arrested and charged with neglect of a dependent. They were processed at the Vanderburgh County Jail and later released after posting a $1,500 bond each. As part of their release conditions, they are prohibited from consuming alcohol and are not allowed to have contact with the victim without prior approval from the Department of Child Services.
The couple is scheduled to appear in court for their initial hearings on January 29. The case has sparked public outrage, with many questioning the parents’ priorities and their apparent neglect of their daughter’s well-being.
Neglect cases like this often raise questions about the responsibility of parents to ensure their children’s safety, especially when it comes to seeking help for mental health concerns. The hospital staff’s efforts to contact the parents highlight the challenges faced by healthcare providers in trying to ensure that minors receive appropriate care and support. In this case, the failure of the parents to respond in a timely and responsible manner has led to legal consequences and further scrutiny of their actions.
The charges against Osmon and Scheda underscore the serious legal implications of neglecting a dependent, particularly when a child is in a vulnerable situation. Mental health issues among teenagers are a growing concern, and this case serves as a reminder of the importance of timely intervention and responsible parenting. As the legal proceedings continue, the parents’ actions will be closely examined, and the court will determine the appropriate course of action to ensure the child’s safety and well-being moving forward.
This case also raises broader concerns about the impact of alcohol on decision-making and parenting. Osmon and Scheda’s choice to get drunk instead of attending to their child’s needs reflects a disturbing lack of responsibility and care. It also highlights the challenges that law enforcement and child protective services face in cases of substance abuse and neglect.
As the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen what consequences Osmon and Scheda will face, but their actions have already had significant consequences for their daughter, who now faces the aftermath of her parents’ neglect.
