GARY, IN – A 32-year-old Indiana man has been arrested and charged with murder following the tragic death of a 2-year-old boy under his care, police said.

Ricky Larkin was taken into custody this week after authorities determined that young Je’Loni Smith had been killed through blunt force trauma, according to an announcement from the Gary Police Department. Officers had responded to a call on Nov. 4 at around 5:30 p.m. at a residence on the 300 block of Arthur Street after being alerted by the Gary Fire Department that a toddler was unresponsive.

First responders on the scene found the child lifeless, according to police. Larkin, who was present at the residence, told authorities that he found the toddler unresponsive in the bathtub and attempted CPR unsuccessfully. However, upon arrival at Methodist Northlake Hospital, the child was pronounced dead.

The responding officers noticed swelling on the child’s body, prompting them to contact the Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force and other relevant authorities, who launched a full death investigation.

An autopsy later conducted by the Lake County Coroner’s Office the following day determined Je’Loni’s cause of death as blunt force trauma, ruling out drowning as initially suggested by Larkin. This discovery set off further suspicions regarding Larkin’s claim of the toddler being in the tub.

According to a probable cause affidavit for the Larkin case, investigators noted that Je’Loni’s body was not wet, which contradicted Larkin’s story. The home was found in disarray, and officers discovered a metal bat situated noticeably near a bed, raising further questions about the events leading to the child’s death.

Authorities learned that Larkin was caring for the toddler while the boy’s mother was hospitalized due to a drug overdose. Despite Larkin’s history of violence, the mother admitted allowing him to care for her child reluctantly. On the day of the incident, Larkin reportedly contacted the mother, requesting her to retrieve the children because he “had stuff to do.”

During questioning, Larkin denied using physical discipline on the children. However, he later acknowledged the toddler’s injuries could only result from physical abuse, ultimately saying the child’s death was “karma” for his own actions in life. Larkin also admitted to being under the influence at the time of Je’Loni’s death.

Larkin remains in custody at Lake County Jail, held without bond, as the investigation into the heartbreaking incident continues.