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Delaware County deputies arrest mother of toddler with 'devastating' injuries

MUNCIE, Ind. — Authorities said the mother of a toddler who suffered "devastating" injuries while in the care of her then-boyfriend repeatedly ignored concerns raised by others about her child's safety.

Later, as her 18-month-old son battled for his life in an Indianapolis hospital, Hannah Michelle Hart reportedly posed for nude photographs in his hospital room's restroom.

She also reportedly posted a video on TikTok that showed her dancing in the hospital room.

Hart, 19 — arrested Thursday by Delaware County sheriff's deputies — is preliminarily charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 1 felony carrying up to 40 years in prison.

An investigation by the sheriff's department and Gaston police began on March 17, when the boy — a resident of Gaston — was taken to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital for treatment, then was flown by medical helicopter to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.

The child's condition after arrival at the Indianapolis hospital was listed as "extremely critical." Physicians there said the toddler had suffered a "near-fatal, acute traumatic brain injury," and also had fractures in his back.

EARLIER: Delaware County toddler's 'near-fatal brain injury' results in arrest

A Gaston man who had been Hart's boyfriend — Andrew Michael Scott, 19 — was arrested last week and on Wednesday was formally charged in Delaware Circuit Court 1 with neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury, also a Level 1 felony.

According to an affidavit filed Thursday:

• Hannah Hart was dismissive of concerns raised by others when her son was seen with bruises — and a ruptured blood vessel in one of his eyes — after she moved in with Scott in late January. She reportedly suggested her son "just fell down a lot."

• She did not take her son for treatment of the eye injury. She also repeatedly skipped or rescheduled the boy's appointments with a physician. He had not been seen by a pediatrician since Sept. 9.

• Hart was dismissive of concerns raised by her mother, who had been the child's primary care-giver before her daughter "abruptly moved in with Mr. Scott." At times she would not allow her mother to see the toddler.

• After she moved in with Scott, witnesses said, Hart "was not attentive" to her son, and repeatedly indicated she wished she "never had kids."

• At Riley Hospital, medical staff noted that while his grandmother appeared very concerned about the boy's condition, Hart primarily sat on a chair using a cellphone. She reportedly asked "very little questions" about the child's care.

• An examination of her cellphone revealed Hart apparently took nude photographs of herself in the bathroom of her child's hospital room. She also made a video — posted on TikTok — in the hospital room that showed her "dancing and smiling."

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• Hart left the Indianapolis hospital "for numerous consecutive days." and medical staff were unable to get her consent for her child's "medical needs."

• Hart told investigators she had repeatedly confronted Scott about his harsh treatment of her son. She said he had "tapped" the boy on the face, thrown him onto a bed and spanked him.

• Despite the concerns she expressed about Scott's behavior, Hart "failed to take any action" to protect the boy, resulting in his "catastrophic injuries."

Chief Deputy Jeff Stanley said Thursday that the child remained hospitalized.

Hart — listed in court documents at an address in Windfall, in Tipton County — was being held without bond in the Delaware County jail..

Scott, scheduled to appear at an initial court hearing on Monday, was also being held without bond.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie Mother of severely injured local child arrested