***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 21, 2019

COUPLE CHARGED WITH NEGLECT RELATED TO CHILD’S DEATH

Media Contact: Vicki Elaine Becker (574) 296-1888

On June 9, 2018, Elkhart Police responded to a home where a 10-year-old female child was pronounced dead. Initial autopsy findings suggested bowel obstruction and internal complications gave rise to a natural cause of death for the child. Subsequent toxicological analysis of the child’s blood revealed high levels of methamphetamine in her system, and a forensic pathologist deemed that methamphetamine toxicity could not be ruled out as a contributing cause of her death. After extensive investigation and consultation with forensic experts, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney filed criminal charges on February 6, 2019, in Elkhart Superior Court No. 3 against Erica Reschke (30) and Brandon Hobbs (34), both of Cassopolis, Michigan.

The investigation conducted by the Elkhart County Homicide Unit revealed that Reschke and Hobbs had brought the child and her 9-year-old sibling to a home in Elkhart County for the evening. Both children required intensive supervision by caregivers due to them both having special needs. Homicide investigators learned that the 10-year-old female child had apparently ingested methamphetamine brought to the home by Reschke, where both children could have had access to it.

Reschke has been charged with two (2) counts of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death, a Level 1 Felony, and one (1) count of Neglect of a Dependent, a Level 6 Felony. She faces a maximum penalty of 42.5 years at the Indiana Department of Correction. Hobbs has been charged in two (2) counts with Neglect of a Dependent, a Level 6 Felony. He faces a maximum penalty of 2.5 years at the Elkhart County Correctional Complex. Both individuals have been before a Magistrate Judge for an Initial Hearing, and a trial date has been scheduled for May 6, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. in the Superior Court 3 Courtroom in Goshen.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”