A 31-year-old mother from Indiana, Kirstin D. Bowers, has been arrested after leaving her four small children inside a burning house, which resulted in the death of her 7-year-old son, David Bowers Jr. Authorities announced last week that Bowers has been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
Fire Incident and Rescue Attempts
On June 5, 2025, at around 2 p.m., Rush County authorities received an emergency call about a fire at a house in Arlington, Indiana, located on North CR 700 W. Responding firefighters and deputies found the house completely engulfed in flames.
Tragically, despite their best efforts, they were unable to rescue the young boy trapped inside. David was later pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner.
Initial Statements and Investigation
Kirstin Bowers initially told authorities that she had fallen asleep while smoking a cigarette in bed, and woke up to find the bed on fire. She claimed that she attempted to rescue her children but was unable to save David due to smoke and fire blocking the way.
Bowers made two 911 calls during the incident. The first call was disconnected, and in the second, she reported that her son was still inside the burning home. However, as the investigation continued, authorities grew suspicious of Bowers’ story.
Suspicious Details and Evidence
Detectives uncovered several inconsistencies during their investigation. Using surveillance footage, witness statements, and digital evidence, they were able to establish that Bowers had left the house and walked several blocks away during the fire. This left her four children alone inside the home.
Three of the children managed to escape the blaze, but unfortunately, David was unable to get out.
Additionally, investigators discovered that Bowers had been involved in a tense and often combative relationship with her husband, and a neighbor had heard her make violent threats just days before the fire. Bowers had also sent an angry message to her husband regarding their children just before the tragic incident.
A search of her cellphone revealed that on the day before the fire, she had been looking up legal terms related to manslaughter and reckless homicide. When questioned about her actions, Bowers claimed she had returned to the house five minutes before the fire started, despite evidence showing she left much earlier.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
When Bowers’ husband learned of his son’s death, he immediately urged authorities to arrest her. He filed for divorce shortly after, and Bowers is currently being held in Shelby County Jail on unrelated charges. She is scheduled to appear in Rush County Circuit Court for her initial hearing on the neglect charges on July 30, 2025.
The tragic fire has deeply affected the Arlington community, which has faced other heartbreaking events in recent years. However, local authorities also commended the efforts of the firefighters who risked their lives in an attempt to save David.
This incident highlights the tragic consequences of neglect and poor decision-making. It is also a reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions when they put others in harm’s way, especially children.
Kirstin Bowers’ arrest marks the beginning of a long legal process, and the Arlington community continues to mourn the loss of a young life.
