Evansville, Ind. – Two parents have been arrested on neglect charges after allegedly refusing to pick up their 13-year-old child from the hospital early Sunday morning, police reported.
Authorities responded to St. Vincent Hospital just before 2 a.m. on January 25, after attempts were made to contact the child’s parents, 41-year-old Jeffery Scheda and 36-year-old Amanda Osmon. According to the Evansville Police Department (EPD), the child had been admitted for a mental health evaluation following a domestic dispute with Osmon.
The incident began late Saturday evening when a social worker reached out to Scheda around 7 p.m. to arrange for someone to pick up the child. At the time, Osmon was reportedly not answering her phone. According to police, Scheda ended the call abruptly after being told to have Osmon contact the social worker directly.
An hour later, Osmon contacted the social worker, but the conversation quickly became heated. The social worker reported that Osmon was agitated, and a verbal argument ensued over who would take responsibility for picking up the child. The social worker also stated that during the call, Osmon used profanity and expressed frustration, telling the worker, “I’m not dealing with this [expletive] tonight.” Furthermore, the social worker noted that both parents appeared to be intoxicated.
When officers arrived at the couple’s home, they found both parents to be under the influence of alcohol. The parents admitted to drinking and falling asleep while their child remained at the hospital. They also claimed that they expected the child to be admitted for a mental health evaluation, similar to a previous incident, and had not anticipated needing to pick the child up themselves.
However, according to police, the parents provided false information regarding their interactions with the social worker. As a result, both Scheda and Osmon were arrested on charges of neglect of a dependent.
The case highlights concerns about child welfare and parental responsibility, particularly in situations involving mental health crises. The Evansville Police Department has yet to release additional details regarding the child’s condition or their current status.
Both parents are scheduled for a court appearance in the coming days. The investigation is ongoing.
