T. Cavanaugh, 34, received a 16-year prison sentence for the heartbreaking neglect of her 4-month-old daughter in 2016. On September 3, 2024, Cavanaugh pleaded guilty to abandonment of a dependent resulting in significant physical injury, a Level 3 felony. The accusation stemmed from her drug use and subsequent exposure of her child to dangerous sleep behaviors, including co-sleeping in the same bed while under the influence.
On June 6, 2016, cops responded to a call concerning an unresponsive infant at Cavanaugh’s residence. Officers found Cavanaugh kneeling on the living room floor, next to her unresponsive infant. She was screaming furiously while trying to perform CPR. Officers oversaw resuscitation efforts until emergency medical personnel arrived. They transported the infant to the hospital. At 10:11 a.m., doctors pronounced the baby dead despite ongoing life-saving efforts. While inside the house, cops smelled burning marijuana and saw Cavanaugh appear drunk, with wobbly balance, slurred speech, and poor coordination. When questioned, Cavanaugh revealed that she had gotten up earlier to breastfeed her daughter and had fallen asleep with the baby next to her. She awoke to see her infant lying face down next to her.
A brief inspection at the scene found several troubling details. Cavanaugh informed a family member, “I know what happened; I shouldn’t have taken my Norco.” The Department of Child Services’ saliva drug screen detected hydrocodone, diazepam, nordiazepam, and oxycodone. A lawful blood draw revealed the presence of hydrocodone and nordiazepam in her system. A search of the house yielded numerous prescription medications, including empty bottles and pills without a valid prescription. Investigators discovered that Cavanaugh had a history of co-sleeping with her children, despite prior warnings and interventions from child welfare officials.
In January 2015, a Department of Child Services case manager discovered Cavanaugh cosleeping with her 2-month-old child. She admitted being “really bad” at co-sleeping but claimed she “understands why it is risky.” A drug screen at the time revealed Xanax, marijuana, and cocaine, prompting the child’s removal from her care. When her daughter was born in February 2016, medical personnel provided thorough teaching on safe sleeping practices. Cavanaugh signed documentation recognizing the risks of co-sleeping, but officials discovered her sleeping with the infant in her hospital bed, prompting additional cautions.
Judge D. Mawhorr sentenced Cavanaugh to 16 years in prison on September 18, 2024, with 14 of those years serving in the Indiana Department of Corrections and the remaining two suspended on supervised probation. She earned credit for time served, which left her sentence with around nine years remaining. During the sentencing hearing, Cavanaugh described herself as a “super mom.” Judge Mawhorr promptly disputed this claim, saying, “I am not so sure about that.”
Prosecuting Attorney E. Hoffman commented on the case: “This case is a prime example of an infant’s unnecessary death as a result of improper sleep practices,said Prosecuting Attorney E. Hoffman. Parents and caregivers must adhere to the ABCs of safe sleep. Infants should always sleep alone, on their backs, in a safe crib. Contrary to popular opinion, sleeping in an adult bed with your infant or engaging in other risky sleep activities constitutes child neglect.”
Initially charged in July 2017, Cavanaugh did not remain in jail awaiting his trial. She posted bail and was briefly on the run after failing to appear for a planned sentencing hearing in September 2020. They rearrested her and held her in jail until her plea. This heartbreaking story highlights the necessity of proper sleep practices for newborns, as well as the fatal repercussions of neglect. Authorities continue to urge parents and caregivers to properly follow recommendations to avoid such terrible consequences.
