"Mother and Boyfriend Arrested for Neglect Leading to 5-Year-Old's Tragic Death"

A 5-year-old girl in Indianapolis died from severe malnutrition after being forced to live in a feces-covered closet with little food. Her mother, Toni McClure, has been arrested for murder, and her boyfriend, Ryan Smith, for neglect resulting in death. The girl's grandfather and great step aunt expressed devastation and anger at the horrific treatment the child endured. Court records revealed that the mother confessed to mistreating her daughter and admitted to fearing her actions would lead to the girl's death. The family believes the Department of Child Services failed the girl, as she had previously been removed from her mother's custody for neglect.