A 32-year-old man in Indiana has been taken into custody on suspicion of killing the 2-year-old kid of his girlfriend. Authorities said that Ricky Larkin was arrested last week and charged with one count of murder in connection with the vicious killing of young Je’Loni Smith.
Officers responded to a plea for help at a residence in the 300 block of Arthur Street, approximately 160 miles northwest of Indianapolis, at approximately 5:30 p.m. on November 4, 2024, according to a news release from the Gary, Indiana Police Department.
The Gary Fire Department called to report that a 2-year-old child inside the house was not breathing.
First responders reported that the toddler was unresponsive and “appeared to be lifeless” when they arrived at the site. Authorities were informed that the toddler was “in the bathtub when he discovered him not breathing” by a male adult who claimed to be the victim’s father.
The boy’s father, who was later revealed to be Larkin, claimed to have tried CPR but was unable to save the youngster.
After being taken by emergency medical personnel to Methodist Northlake Hospital for treatment, the youngster was eventually declared deceased.
“The Gary Police Department officers on scene and Gary Fire Department observed some swelling to the child and at that time notified supervisors to contact Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force, as well as Lake County Coroner and Lake County Sherriff Crime Scene Investigations,” according to the release. “Members of the Homicide Task Force began a death investigation awaiting the autopsy.”
An autopsy performed by the Lake County Coroner’s Office a day after Je’Loni’s passing revealed that blunt force trauma was the cause of death and that homicide was the manner of death. No evidence of drowning was discovered by the coroner.
The circumstances surrounding the toddler’s premature death were further detailed in a probable cause affidavit.
The report claims that because the boy was not wet, officials were dubious of Larkin’s account of him being in the tub right away. A metal bat that police claimed had been “placed conspicuously” close to the bed was discovered during a check of the messy house.
Police eventually found out that Larkin was monitoring the youngster since the victim’s mother had been admitted to the hospital the day before due to a drug overdose, but they claimed that she only did so reluctantly due to the boy’s violent and drug-using past.
READ ALSO: Missing Florida Woman’s Roommate Arrested, Now Accused of Murder
Larkin allegedly contacted the day after Je’Loni’s passing and instructed the toddler’s mother to pick up the children because he “had stuff to do.” He stated that the event occurred when he was bathing the victim since one of the mother’s friends was scheduled to arrive and pick up the youngster.
When asked if he ever used physical punishment to discipline the children, Larkin allegedly said that he “doesn’t hit kids,” adding that Je’Loni’s bruises were most likely the consequence of her slipping in the bathtub.
After being questioned repeatedly about Je’Loni’s injuries, police said he revised his account and acknowledged that the toddler’s injuries could only have been caused by physical abuse.
According to reports, Larkin then informed investigators that Je’Loni’s passing was “karma” for all of the “dirt” he had committed during his life. He also acknowledged that when Je’Loni passed away, he was intoxicated.
Larkin is being held without bond at the Lake County Jail at the moment.
