Kelly Ward, 22, was arrested nearly two years after her infant daughter was found unresponsive with life-altering injuries. Ward has been charged with child neglect causing great bodily harm following the events of November 8, 2023, in DeLand, Florida.
Timeline of Events
According to a non-arrest affidavit, the troubling sequence of events began the night of November 7, when Ward and her boyfriend arrived at her home at 10 p.m.
Between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., the couple and Ward’s infant daughter were seen outside multiple times, which raised concern among the household residents, as the baby was exposed to temperatures in the mid-50s.
Concerns About the Boyfriend
Ward’s boyfriend, who was not the father of the 3-month-old girl, but the father of Ward’s unborn child, had stayed over that night despite some concerns from residents.
One person reported feeling uneasy about him and suspected something was wrong, especially regarding his interactions with children. The couple had planned for him to take Ward to a doctor’s appointment the next morning.
Baby’s Condition and Delayed Response
Around 6 a.m., Ward’s boyfriend was seen standing in the hallway without the baby. By 8 a.m., the baby appeared lethargic and pale, though other residents reported that the child had appeared normal when they woke up.
However, the baby’s condition worsened, and Ward’s mother noticed bruising on the child’s abdomen. Despite this, no one called 911 until nearly 11:40 a.m.
Suspicious Injuries
The baby’s condition raised suspicions. Despite claims that the family’s dog caused the bruising, EMS workers doubted this explanation, pointing out the dog’s small size and suggesting that the injuries were more likely due to human abuse.
Body camera footage from responding deputies captured the moment they arrived at the scene, with Ward’s boyfriend absent from the scene at that time.
Inconsistent Statements
Ward and her boyfriend both provided separate accounts of the events, but investigators noted inconsistencies in Ward’s statements. The boyfriend had a history of abuse, with his previous daughter suffering an injury under suspicious circumstances.
In an attempt to uncover more details, investigators asked Ward to call her boyfriend, which led to a conversation that raised further red flags, including his refusal to take a lie detector test.
Medical Findings
Medical reports confirmed that the infant’s injuries were consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome (Shaken Impact Syndrome), indicating nonaccidental trauma. The child’s current condition remains unclear, but the injuries were described as life-threatening.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Ward has been charged with child neglect causing great bodily harm. While both Ward and her boyfriend were initially charged with aggravated child abuse, no formal charges have been found against the boyfriend.
Ward was booked into the Volusia County Jail on August 4 and released on August 9. She is set to appear in court for arraignment on August 28.
