INDIANAPOLIS — A Marion County grand jury indicted an Indianapolis mother for her alleged role in the 2023 death of her daughter, Harmonnie Jones.
Jayda Styles, 22, now faces one count of aggravated battery after her 7-month-old daughter was found unresponsive Jan. 8, 2023, at an apartment in the 4400 block of North Linwood Avenue, near Emerson Avenue, shortly after 9 a.m.
“This tragedy was completely preventable, and an infant lost her life because of the alleged actions of the defendant,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a press release. “I commend the grand jury for their time and consideration and setting us on the path towards justice for Harmonnie.”
A grand jury indicted Styles on Thursday, March 14, and the prosecutor filed charges Friday, 14 months after the baby girl’s death.
13 Investigates learned there were four adults, including Styles, in an apartment when Harmonnie was reported unresponsive. Her twin brother was also in the apartment and was hospitalized. He recovered and was placed with Child Protective Services.
The Marion County Coroner's Office said Harmonnie died from "blunt force trauma to the torso."
Investigators have not released the details explaining exactly what caused those injuries. The indictment states between Jan. 6, 2023, and Jan. 8, 2023, Styles "did knowingly inflict injury that created a substantial risk of death, and it resulted in the death of a child.”
Styles was arrested Friday and booked into the Marion County jail. Court documents showed a judge had set a $100,000 bond.
After hearing of the indictment, paternal family members in Gary texted 13 Investigates “Thank you Lord.” Those family members have questioned for more than a year why no one was arrested following Harmonnie’s death.