MUNCIE, IN – A 28-year-old Indiana mother has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for severely abusing her infant son, leaving him in a critical condition. Jessica Meade received the sentence after pleading guilty to neglect of a dependent, with the abuse causing serious bodily injury. This decision came from a Floyd County Superior Court judge, who barred Meade from contacting her son and credited her with time already served.

Meade, after accepting the plea agreement, saw a related charge of aggravated assault, which could have led to a harsher sentence, dropped by prosecutors. The mother of two is accused of nearly suffocating her 13-month-old by wrapping him in blankets and duct tape, actions that brought the child close to death.

Deputy Prosecutor Kristin Perdue highlighted the profound sadness of the case, noting that a parent should protect, not harm, a child. Meanwhile, Meade’s boyfriend, 28-year-old Ethan J.T. Coleman, remains in custody on charges related to the incident, including neglect and aggravated battery. Held on a $100,000 bond, his legal proceedings are ongoing.

The alarming events unfolded in September of last year when authorities responded to a distress call about an unconscious child. By the time emergency services arrived at the Spring Street residence, both the child and Meade were being rushed to a hospital, and it was revealed that the boy had suffered severe brain damage due to prolonged oxygen deprivation.

Initially, Coleman allegedly suggested that the child’s condition might have resulted from an allergic reaction after eating shellfish. However, discrepancies in their story, alongside video evidence, painted a far more troubling picture. Investigators viewed footage reportedly showing Coleman binding the toddler in blankets with the help of Meade, who stands accused of facilitating the act.

The footage purportedly depicts Coleman tightly wrapping the child in several blankets while Meade assisted in holding the child down. The video shows Coleman applying duct tape around the bundled blankets, effectively silencing the boy’s cries—a circumstance prosecutors have described as tantamount to torture.

A Department of Child Services caseworker played a crucial role by presenting multiple conflicting accounts from Meade and Coleman about the child’s condition. The caseworker also brought forward the invasive video evidence, forming a cornerstone of the prosecution’s case against the couple.

Coleman’s legal journey remains unfolding, with a pretrial conference planned for late 2024 and a trial on the docket for early 2025. This unfolding case highlights the judiciary’s efforts to address heinous acts of child abuse and the lasting impacts on the most vulnerable.