An Indiana mother will spend the next 65 years in prison, convicted of neglecting her infant son, resulting in his death. A judge sentenced 25-year-old Caylin Monroe, to more than six decades in prison following the 2022 death of her 3-month-old son, Silas Chance-Kent Scott. Silas died from starvation, and his mother claimed she sometimes forgot to feed the baby.
The investigation into Silas’ death began in February 2022, when deputies with the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about an unresponsive infant, 14 News reported. Sadly, an autopsy found the infant had nothing in his stomach when he died. His parents reportedly couldn’t remember when they’d fed him last.
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Silas was born healthy.
According to court documents obtained by People, when Monroe gave birth to Silas, the baby was small but healthy. The baby reportedly had difficulty growing, and Monroe’s mother told her daughter she had concerns about his health.
A friend apparently agreed, People reported in a previous story at the time.
“Caylin stated that her best friend, Grace Hudson, asked why [Silas] was so small,” the affidavit read. “Caylin stated she said, ‘yeah, he is a little small.’ Caylin stated that she thought there was something underlying wrong with Silas, but she never had time to call and get a new pediatrician.”
Silas' parents seemingly had a hard time remembering to feed him.
Monroe admitted to forgetting to feed Silas sometimes because he was a quiet baby, per News 14. The baby’s father, Jakob Scott, apparently had the same problem.
Monroe reportedly had an issue with authorities because of another child and had to keep a feeding log for that baby. According to court documents, Monroe admitted she didn’t seek medical help for Silas because she feared she’d lose her children.
Silas' father also faces murder charges.
Prosecutors charged Scott with murder and neglect of a dependent, resulting in death, according to online court records. Scott’s November 2024 jury trial was canceled, and his next court date is December 2, People reported. The magazine noted that Scott allegedly admitted they did not feed Silas unless he cried. And neither he nor Monroe could remember when the baby ate last before his death.
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Monroe posted about her love for her son on the funeral home's website.
Koehler Funeral Home shared Silas’ obituary in February 2022. His mother posted a photo of herself holding Silas with a message that reads as follows:
“Silas Chance-Kent Scott 1:19 P.M. November 22, 2021 to me and your daddy, we loved you with everything in us my sweet shuggie bear. Your smile lit up a whole room and your sweet sweet noises we loved to hear you talk, you had so much personality to you it was beautiful. Your always gonna be loved and missed by me and daddy shuggie bear ALWAYS.”
