INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis mother is facing a neglect charge after her 3-year-old son was taken to a hospital for frostbite and possibly having part of his leg amputated.
According to court documents, 28-year-old Amber Griffith, of Indianapolis, said her home, near Shelby Street and Troy Avenue on the city's near south side, had been without heat because the furnace wasn't working. On Jan. 19, Griffith allegedly said she realized something was wrong with her 3-year-old son's foot.
Court documents say a case manager with the Indiana Department of Child Services spoke to an IMPD detective about the 3-year-old being treated for frostbite to his right foot on Jan. 22. Two days later, the child was at Riley Hospital for Children for a surgery that might require amputating part of his leg, below the knee. The case manager did not provide an update on the 3-year-old's surgery.
A previous DCS report from 2015 revealed two more of Griffith's kids were removed her care due to the home allegedly having no running water or electricity, bed bugs, lice, and concerns of a lack of food for the children.
When detectives spoke with Griffith, she allegedly said her 3-year-old son had frostbite because she was drugged. Griffith allegedly told detectives she also went to the hospital because one of her feet hurt as well. Court documents say Griffith admitted to doing methamphetamine and smoking marijuana regularly.
An IMPD officer spoke with detectives, who said he saw Griffith at a nearby store Jan. 25 with the 3-year-old in a stroller. The officer said the 3-year-old was "screaming incessantly, not just crying, but screaming," and did not appear to be dressed as warm as the officer would've expected due to the cold temperatures.
Prosecutors charged Griffith with neglect of dependent resulting in serious injury.
Griffith had her initial court hearing Jan. 30, and a pretrial conference is scheduled for April 18.
