Indiana man faces neglect charge after young child’s death

ELWOOD, Ind. (AP) — An Indiana man is facing a neglect charge following the death of young child.

The Herald Bulletin reports Ryder Stephen was pronounced brain dead Monday after being found unresponsive Friday in his family’s home in Elwood, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northeast of Indianapolis. The newspaper says his organs were donated to help save the lives of two children.

A candlelight vigil Thursday marked what would have been Ryder’s second birthday.

Alyson Stephen says she left her son in the care of her estranged husband, 26-year-old Jacob Wootton, while she went to work. Police say he was arrested on preliminary charges including neglect of a dependent resulting in death. Court records don’t yet list a lawyer for him.

Prosecutors say preliminary cause of death appears to be blunt force trauma.

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Information from: The Herald Bulletin, http://www.theheraldbulletin.com