A couple in Indiana is facing multiple charges including murder after the death of a toddler. Trevor Reichard-Hayes and Katherine Carter called police to their home after finding the boy unresponsive, but they likely had no idea they would soon find themselves under arrest. Not only was the boy dead, but the truly horrific conditions they were living in also were revealed to authorities. In addition to living in filthy spaces filled with human waste, the boy was reportedly starving to death. Even though police were unable to save the toddler, thankfully, they were able to save other children living in the home from the same fate.
Police were too late to save the toddler.
Just after 1:15 p.m. on March 31, 2026, officers from the Tell City Police Department got a call about an unresponsive child, a news release noted. When officers arrived at the home, they assessed the child before EMTs arrived. Sadly, the 2-year-old, identified as Erik Reichard, was declared dead at the home.
An investigation of the home began shortly thereafter, with police officers and detectives staying at the scene. Two other children in the home were removed by the Indiana Department of Child Services, which assisted with the case. The Perry County Coroner’s Office and Perry County Prosecutor’s Office are also working with the Tell City Police Department.
As a result of the investigation, police arrested Trevor Reichard-Hayes and Katherine Carter on April 3, 2026.
“Scenes such as these are extremely difficult for the officers, first responders, and partner agencies involved. We respectfully ask for and appreciate your prayers and support for the investigators as well as the victim’s family during this difficult time,” the police department’s release shared.
Details have emerged about what police found at the home.
Police said Reichard-Hayes and Carter told them they hadn’t seen the boy alive since 11 p.m. the previous night — 14 hours before they called 911, WFIE reported. Officers said Erik had been dead for several hours when they arrived.
The boy appeared to be very skinny and malnourished, and had more than 40 sores or bug bites covering his body. He only weighed about 15 pounds, police said.
“This is a highly emotional case… It’s a case that’s beyond what we see often here in our community. Most of the officers and first responders that respond to these type of things…we have children of our own so it’s certainly difficult to not get too emotionally attached to the case,” Tell City Police Chief Derrick Lawalin told WFIE.
Reichard-Hayes and Carter are facing multiple charges.
While searching the home, police found incredibly poor and frankly disgusting living conditions. There was feces on the floor in the children’s bedrooms, and the home was covered in insects, WKRC reported.
Additionally, paint chips, drywall, dirt, and diapers were scattered around. Police even found a training toilet that hadn’t been cleaned in days or possibly weeks, filled with human waste.
An autopsy showed that Reichard had material in his system that was consistent with paint chips, spackling, drywall, and diapers. Carter admitted that the boy had been eating diapers, per WFIE. Police suspect it was due to his extreme hunger.
Reichard-Hayes and Carter have been charged with murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, and neglect of a dependent, according to WKRC. They are being held in the Perry County Detention Center.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
