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A starving toddler was so hungry he resorted to eating drywall, paint chips, and nappies before he was found dead at his home, police said.
Erik Reichard’s body was covered in sores and insect bites, and he weighed just 15 pounds—around half the normal weight for a child his age.
The two-year-old was discovered by police at his family home in Tell City, Indiana, after his parents reported that they had not seen him alive for about 14 hours before raising the alarm that he was unresponsive.
Erik was pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts by officers who performed CPR on the living room floor on April 3.
His parents, Trevor Reichard-Hayes, 39, and Katherine Carter, 31, were arrested and have since been charged with murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, and neglect of a dependent. Two other children were removed from the home, police said.
A spokesperson said: “Scenes such as these are extremely difficult for the officers, first responders, and partner agencies involved. We respectfully ask for and appreciate your prayers and support for the investigators, as well as the victim’s family, during this difficult time. This investigation remains ongoing.”
Police said Erik appeared severely underweight and malnourished, with more than 40 sores or insect bites on his skin. Carter reportedly told officers that the boy had been “eating his diapers,” which investigators believe may have been due to extreme hunger.
After obtaining a search warrant, officers who entered the property reportedly found faeces on the floor, scattered nappies, and human waste that appeared to have accumulated for days or even weeks.
In one of the children’s rooms, there was a small bed, along with pieces of diapers and drywall debris scattered across the floor. A training toilet was also found “full of faeces and urine,” which appeared not to have been cleaned for an extended period.
During an autopsy, officials recovered material from the child’s system consistent with drywall, paint chips or spackling from the home, along with nappy material.
Carter described herself as a “digital content creator” on Facebook, while Reichard-Hayes’ LinkedIn profile indicated a background in the United States Army, where he held roles including infantryman, pathfinder, team machine gunner in Afghanistan, company armorer, and field material tester.
