An Indiana police officer and his wife have been charged with neglect after it was reported that they made their 6-year-old daughter stand outside in freezing weather as punishment.
According to local news sources, a woman in Logansport called 911 on January 19, reporting that a young girl was outside in 18-degree Fahrenheit temperatures holding a sign that said, “I want to stab and kill my brother, I even take an antipsychotic. If you need to give pity, then give it to the victims.”
Logansport Police Officer Cody Scott and another officer responded to this call. Body camera footage showed the witness explaining the situation to the officers, stating that the little girl was out in the cold. In documented conversations, Cody reportedly acknowledged the harsh treatment, suggesting that he had exhausted other disciplinary methods. He mentioned that his daughter had made threats against the family and engaged in troubling behavior.
The girl, identified as Cody’s daughter, had been standing outside while her parents took part in the investigation process. They claimed that the punishment stemmed from an earlier incident where she had been upset about wearing lip gloss. According to the couple, their daughter sometimes acted out to gain attention and was in therapy for various mental health issues.
A caseworker also interviewed the young girl, who reported that she had been punished in the past by being forced to stay in her room, sometimes even missing bathroom breaks. She indicated that her brother was not subjected to the same strict punishments.
Documents revealed that this was not the first time the child had been made to hold a sign as punishment. In previous cases, she was asked to carry signs to school and stores, with messages that reflected her behavior.
As a result of these events, Cody was put on administrative leave without pay. Both he and his wife face felony charges for neglecting their daughter. They appeared in court on March 13, where they pleaded not guilty. Their next court date is scheduled for May 8, and a trial date has been set for September 22.
Meanwhile, the Indiana State Police have not released additional comments regarding the case.
