Parents charged with neglect resulting in infant's death
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Seven-week-old Cheeyanna McKamey is dead, and prosecutors say her parents, Tena Cheyenne Wood and Erik Wayne McKamey, are responsible.
Paramedics and police were called to the couple's Lafayette apartment in the 1700 block of Shoshone Drive about 7:30 a.m. July 19 with a report of a baby not breathing.
Paramedics found Cheeyana lifeless and lying on a futon cushion on a floor.
McKamey, 39, told police he changed his daughter, fed her and burped her about 2 a.m. July 19. Then he laid down with her and Wood, 31, on the futon matress.
They found Cheeyana not breathing and facedown on the mattress in the morning, according to prosecutors.
McKamey told police he attempted CPR, but the child was beyond help, according to prosecutors.
An autopsy found Cheeyana died from positional asphyxia. It also found that Cheeyana died with illicit fentanyl in her blood, according to prosecutors.
Both Wood and McKamey are charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death and neglect of a dependent.
Additionally, since both have multiple felony convictions, prosecutors filed sentence-enhancing charges of habitual offender against both Wood and McKamey.
The couple, who now reside in Crawfordsville, appeared Wednesday afternoon for initial hearing.
If convicted of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, Wood and McKamey face between 20 and 40 years in prison. If convicted of neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony, each face between 6 months and 2 1/2 years in prison.
If convicted of being a habitual offender and of the Level 1 felony of neglect, the two each face an additional six to 20 years in prison.
Each received an appointed public defender.
McKamey's trial date is set for Aug. 8, and Wood's trial date is set for Aug. 22.
Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Parents charged with neglect resulting in infant's death
