In a tragic case out of Indiana, a 6-month-old girl died after her parents allegedly chose to stop for snacks and cigarettes instead of rushing her to the hospital when she was cold, limp, and unresponsive in their car.
The couple, Grant Ethan Stevens and Hannah Marie Evans, both 30, now face felony charges for allegedly depriving their infant of the medical care that could have saved her life. The incident took place in October 2025.
Charges Against the Parents
Stevens faces:
- One count of aggravated battery
- Two counts of neglect of a dependent
Authorities say Stevens had physically ab*sed the infant over her short life.
Evans is charged with:
- One count of neglect of a dependent resulting in death
The investigation began after the incident at the couple’s Valparaiso apartment, according to The Chicago Tribune.
What Happened Inside the Apartment
Stevens told a Department of Child Services investigator that he cared for the baby for two hours so Evans could take a break. While attempting to feed her with a bottle, he said the child started discharging mucus and vomit, panicked, and tried back blows and CPR.
He did not inform Evans because he believed her breathing had stabilized, despite noticing a wheezing sound, The Times of Northwest Indiana reported.
Evans allegedly told police she was wearing noise-cancelling headphones and playing a handheld video game in another room during that time. She reportedly heard “loud smacking” sounds and briefly checked on the child. Seeing vomit on Stevens’ shirt and accepting his explanation, she returned to her game and later went to bed while the baby was down for the night.
The Fatal Morning
The situation worsened overnight. Evans reportedly noticed the infant missed her usual 1:30 a.m. feeding and felt something was wrong. At 6 a.m., Stevens found the baby cold to the touch and seemingly lifeless.
Instead of calling 911, the couple decided to drive the child themselves, claiming it would be faster. Investigators found that the trip took 30 minutes because they made a deliberate detour to a Family Express gas station in the opposite direction to buy a Red Bull, cigarettes, and a candy bar.
Hospital Findings
When they arrived at Northwest Health — Porter, physicians discovered the infant had a perforated bowel and an old fractured rib. She was transferred to University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital, where she passed away on October 31, 2025.
A child ab*se expert noted the baby was in septic shock and likely dying during the drive. The detour to the gas station worsened her condition. Doctors concluded that there was “no medical explanation” for her injuries other than physical ab*se.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office officially ruled the death a homicide, revealing multiple broken ribs in different stages of healing.
Red Flags and Past Ab*se
Evans allegedly admitted past warning signs of Stevens’ behavior, including an incident where the baby suffered abdominal bruising after hitting a coffee table while under his care. She also said Stevens had referred to the infant with abusive language.
Court dates for the couple have not yet been scheduled.
