A 21-year-old mother from Indiana is facing charges after allegedly sleeping while her nonverbal, autistic 4-year-old daughter escaped from their hotel room and was discovered wandering alone through a parking garage. The child was later heard saying the girl would “be dead,” according to authorities.
Isabella Nadine Bertinelli was arrested Monday and charged with one count of felony neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury in connection with the incident, according to court records.
The investigation into Bertinelli began on June 3, when officers with the Evansville Police Department responded to a report of a young girl running around by herself in the parking garage of a local hotel, local NBC affiliate WFIE reported, citing a probable cause affidavit.
Shortly after arriving and finding the child, officers determined she had been staying in Bertinelli’s room, had gotten out on her own, and had wandered into the parking garage.
When officers returned the child to Bertinelli’s room, they reportedly found Bertinelli asleep on a couch.
Investigators said they later learned that Bertinelli’s boyfriend had asked Bertinelli what she thought might happen to the child, to which she allegedly responded, “She will be dead.”
The investigation also raised concerns about what was happening inside Bertinelli’s room while the child was present.
Police reportedly accused Bertinelli of engaging in sex work inside the room, allegedly soliciting customers and allowing multiple people inside. During those alleged encounters, it was unclear who, if anyone, was responsible for watching the 4-year-old.
Following a preliminary investigation, the Department of Child Services removed the child from Bertinelli’s care and placed her with her father.
A forensic search of Bertinelli’s cellphone reportedly revealed that in late June, she had been looking online for ways to obtain drugs including methamphetamine and ecstasy.
During a subsequent drug test, Bertinelli allegedly submitted water in place of a urine sample. When detectives questioned her about the sample, she reportedly admitted to the deception, saying she had done so because she had been smoking marijuana.
Authorities later issued a warrant for her arrest.
She was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on Monday and released after posting a $1,000 cash bond, records show.
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