A 3-year-old Indiana boy, Noah Brown, is engaged in a fierce battle for his life after a violent incident involving his 12-year-old babysitter. The horrific assault, which occurred on November 29 at the child’s father’s home in Indianapolis, has left the young boy sedated and on life support at Riley Children’s Hospital.
Fox 59 reported that Noah, once a vibrant and cheerful child, is now facing a grim reality with multiple seizures resulting from the alleged beatdown. His mother, Michelle Lane, revealed the harrowing details in an online petition, stating that the accused assailant is her ex-husband’s stepson, who had been entrusted with the care of Noah and his 5-year-old brother.
The 12-year-old babysitter, whose identity remains protected due to age, faces serious charges including aggravated assault, serious bodily injury to a person under 14, and possession of personal weapons. This case has stirred a wave of shock and disbelief across the community.
Noah’s grandmother, Candy King, recounted the events to McClatchy News, painting a chilling picture of the incident. The babysitter, struggling with anger issues, reportedly could not handle Noah’s crying, leading to a brutal attack with a belt and subsequent blows that saw Noah’s head striking a bunk bed frame and being rammed into a wall.
Lane’s online petition further detailed the severity of Noah’s condition, including the removal of part of his skull due to the intensity of his injuries. The babysitter allegedly justified the violence by claiming Noah was being ‘annoying’ while crying.
Amidst this tragedy, Noah is also battling COVID-19, adding another layer of complexity to his critical situation. Lane expressed her son’s uncertain future, emphasizing his long road to recovery and the unknowns regarding his quality of life.
In response to this shocking event, Lane has advocated for legal changes in Indiana’s babysitting laws, proposing a minimum age requirement of 16 years for babysitters of children under six and the necessity for babysitters to be free of uncontrolled mental health illnesses.
Doctors are now attempting to remove Noah’s breathing tube and neck brace to assess his ability to breathe independently, while hoping for him to regain full consciousness. This tragic story has not only cast a spotlight on the need for stringent babysitting regulations but also on the resilience of a young boy fighting for his life in the wake of an unimaginable ordeal.
