Bloomington mother, grandmother charged in death of 3-year-old

Staff report

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – August 18, 2025

A Bloomington mother and grandmother have been charged with multiple counts of neglect after a 3-year-old girl died following what investigators described as prolonged medical neglect inside a home.

According to Monroe County court records, 27-year-old Keera L. Braun and 50-year-old Millissa D. Hicks were arrested after the child was found unresponsive at their North Thomas Road apartment on Aug. 8. The girl was later pronounced dead at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis on Aug. 13 at 2:51 p.m.

Detective Jeffrey Ripley of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office wrote in affidavits that Braun admitted giving her daughter about 20 milligrams of melatonin — double the usual amount — in the hours before the child became unresponsive. Hicks later told investigators she and Braun also smoked synthetic marijuana, or “spice,” mixed with another substance called “chemi,” inside the residence while children were present.

According to court records, the child temporarily regained breathing after family members attempted resuscitation but remained in bed overnight without medical help, according to a sibling’s interview at Susie’s Place Child Advocacy Center.

Investigators said both Braun and Hicks acknowledged they considered calling 911 but each blamed the other for failing to do so.

When deputies searched the residence, they reported finding animal feces, spoiled food, insect infestation and unsecured medications scattered where children could reach them. Detectives described the conditions as so unsafe that “no child should have to reside in such conditions.”

“The house was in an overall deplorable state, with an offensive odor that was detectable in an open area several meters from the front door,” an investigator wrote.

Doctors at Riley Hospital later concluded the child suffered a brain injury caused by a prolonged lack of oxygen. Ripley wrote that the delay in seeking medical care contributed to the severity of her condition.

“On August 11th, 2025, I spoke with a doctor at Riley Hospital who informed me the brain injury was the result a prolonged lack of oxygen, and was not related to a physical injury. I was also informed that Suspect Braun’s, Ms. Hick’s, and Mr. Butche’s lack of action and delay in reporting her medical emergency contributed to the severity of her condition.”

Braun faces one count of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony, and two additional counts of neglect, both Level 6 felonies. Hicks faces one Level 1 felony count and one Level 6 count. Both women were booked into the Monroe County Jail on Aug. 18.

The child’s official cause of death remains pending an autopsy.

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