Indiana Mother on Probation for Infant’s Death Arrested Again After Allegedly Abandoning Four Children for Nearly Two Weeks
SOUTH BEND, Indiana — June 14, 2025 — A 27-year-old South Bend mother is back behind bars after police say she left her four young children alone in deplorable conditions for nearly two weeks—while already serving probation for the 2019 death of her infant son.
Tenisha Ann Echols was arrested earlier this week following a disturbing call from her 8-year-old daughter to their grandmother. The child, sobbing, said she had been trying to care for her younger siblings—ages 6, 2, and a 4-month-old baby—by herself. Concerned and alarmed, the grandmother contacted police immediately.
When officers arrived at the apartment, what they found painted a grim picture of neglect. According to a police report, the home was filled with rotting food, garbage, and clutter. The children’s beds had no blankets. The infant appeared to be malnourished and wearing a heavily soiled diaper.
“It was one of the worst cases of abandonment I’ve seen in years,” a South Bend police officer familiar with the investigation told reporters. “The children were completely alone, without adult supervision or basic care, for what could have been up to ten days.”
Initially, Echols claimed she had only stepped out for about 20 minutes. But her story was quickly contradicted by the 8-year-old and the grandmother, both of whom told officers the children had been left alone for several days. Under further questioning, Echols allegedly admitted that she sometimes leaves the kids home alone because it’s difficult to take them all outside at once.
The arrest comes with added outrage due to Echols’ criminal history. In 2019, her 6-month-old son died from what the medical examiner determined were “serious internal injuries consistent with abuse.” Echols was charged, but ultimately pleaded guilty to a reduced offense and was sentenced to probation instead of prison.
That decision is now under renewed scrutiny.
“How many chances does one parent get while children continue to suffer?” said one child welfare advocate in South Bend. “After a baby died under her care, she should have been under strict supervision. This latest incident was completely avoidable.”
The four children have since been removed from the home and are in the custody of the Indiana Department of Child Services. Officials say all of the children were in need of medical evaluation, with special attention being given to the 4-month-old, who had clearly gone without proper nutrition and hygiene.
Tenisha Echols is now facing multiple charges, including four felony counts of neglect of a dependent, along with a probation violation. Prosecutors say additional charges could be added once the investigation is complete.
“This is not an isolated case of poor parenting—it’s a continued pattern of danger and disregard for vulnerable lives,” said St. Joseph County Prosecutor Kenneth Cotter. “We intend to pursue this case with the seriousness it deserves.”
Echols remains in the St. Joseph County Jail without bond as of Saturday. A hearing is expected to take place early next week.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation in the South Bend community about gaps in the child welfare system, especially in how probationers with histories of abuse are monitored.
Local advocates are urging lawmakers to consider stricter requirements for parents with previous child endangerment convictions, including routine home visits, mandatory parenting support, and mental health evaluations.
“This isn’t just about one family,” said a representative from the Indiana Youth and Family Services Bureau. “This is about every child who doesn’t have a voice. And we need to be their voice—before tragedy strikes again.”
The investigation remains ongoing.