Lawrenceburg, Indiana — A 24-year-old mother, Raeleigh Phillips, was sentenced on Monday to six years in prison for the death of her 9-day-old son, Emmett Phillips, after leaving him strapped in a car seat for 14 hours with no feedings, diaper changes, or care.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The case stemmed from March 2024, when Emmett was found unresponsive in his car seat following a trip to Kroger grocery store. Court documents reveal that Phillips spent the day watching TV and slouching around, neglecting her newborn.
Dearborn County Superior Court Judge Sally A. McLaughlin called the circumstances “unconscionable”, noting Phillips showed little remorse during proceedings.
“The defendant violated her position of trust to her newborn child,” McLaughlin stated.
Surveillance footage from the home reportedly captured Phillips standing back as others at the residence called 911 and began CPR on the infant. Phillips initially lied about the timeline of events to police as per reports.
Aggravating Factors
Phillips had previous felony neglect convictions and was on probation at the time of Emmett’s death, contributing to the maximum prison sentence being imposed.
Judge McLaughlin described the apartment as filthy, with the baby’s mattress located near dog feces and illegal drugs. Additionally, Phillips had three other children, all in custody of others, and had a history of noncooperation with law enforcement and child services.
Cause of Death
Police reported that Phillips allowed the infant to remain in the car seat unattended while claiming he seemed content. Both Phillips and her roommates indicated she fell asleep, only discovering Emmett cold and unresponsive later. The cause of death was positional asphyxia.
Plea Deal and Conviction
Phillips was initially charged with neglect of a dependent and reckless homicide, but pleaded guilty to reckless homicide in September 2025.
“Her child…was living in unsafe conditions, and this tragedy could have been prevented,” Judge McLaughlin said.
Infant neglect and unsafe childcare practices remain a serious concern. If you suspect child neglect in your community, report it immediately to local authorities.
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