LAWRENCE COUNTY — According to local officials, child safety remains a paramount priority in Southern Indiana, but keeping vulnerable children safe relies heavily on the eyes and ears of local communities.
In Lawrence County, Sheriff Greg Day, Police Chief Terry Moore, and child advocates are reminding residents of their legal and moral obligation to report suspected child abuse or neglect, emphasizing that Indiana law leaves no room for hesitation.
Indiana operates under a strict “mandatory reporter” statute. Unlike some states where only specific professionals like teachers or doctors are required to flag suspected abuse, Indiana law mandates that every citizen who has reason to believe a child is a victim of abuse or neglect must report it immediately.
Understanding how the reporting system works, what information is needed, and who to call can make a life-saving difference for a child in crisis.
All reports of child maltreatment across Lawrence County are funneled through a centralized, statewide system managed by the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS).
Specific local counts for child abuse and neglect fluctuate yearly, but state data provides a clear picture of the scope within the region, alongside recent legal proceedings that highlight the severity of local cases.
Lawrence County Statistics and Data
According to data tracking from the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS), Lawrence County typically sees between 400 and 600 formal child maltreatment assessments (investigations) conducted each year.
- The Breakdown: Statewide and regional data indicate that the vast majority, roughly 90% to 93%, of substantiated local cases are classified as neglect (which includes environmental neglect, medical neglect, and severe educational neglect). The remaining cases are comprised of physical abuse and sexual abuse.
- The CHINS Process: When local assessments determine that a child’s physical or mental condition is seriously endangered, the Lawrence County DCS office files a CHINS (Child in Need of Services) petition through the local court system. This legal intervention places the children under state monitoring or temporary foster placement while parents are ordered to complete compliance programs, substance abuse treatment, or mental health counseling.
Recent Significant Local Cases
Several prominent legal cases in the Lawrence County circuit courts showcase the types of abuse and neglect local law enforcement and caseworkers handle:
The Educational Neglect and Sibling Abuse Case (Appealed 2024)
A major local case involved the adjudication of five Lawrence County children as CHINS following a multi-agency investigation. DCS initially responded to a March 2023 hotline report alleging severe educational neglect, domestic instability, and dynamic sibling sexual abuse within the home.
Despite pushback from the parents, local caseworkers and the court intervened, ordering educational testing that revealed massive academic and developmental deficits in the children due to lack of schooling. The Indiana Court of Appeals officially upheld the local court’s decision to keep the state intervention active to protect the children.
Substance Abuse and Severe Neglect (Appealed 2025)
Another significant Lawrence County intervention focused on a mother who repeatedly tested positive for methamphetamine while caring for multiple minor children. The case escalated to an emergency detention order and formal removal of the children after one of the youths attempted suicide.
When local authorities searched the home, they found highly hazardous and unsanitary conditions, including mold, maggots, and accessible illicit substances. The local court intervened permanently because the parent refused to acknowledge the substance abuse or participate in local treatment programs like Centerstone.
While the vast majority of local Child in Need of Services (CHINS) cases involve intervention before an ultimate tragedy occurs, Lawrence County has been shaken by severe cases that crossed the line into criminal fatalities.
When a child dies from suspected maltreatment in Indiana, it triggers an automatic multi-jurisdictional response involving the Lawrence County Coroner, local prosecutors, the Indiana State Police, and the Department of Child Services (DCS) Statewide Child Fatality Review Committee.
In recent local history, a high-profile case heavily details the severe legal realities of fatal caregiver neglect in Lawrence County.
The Cheyenne Hill Case (Sentenced 2024)
One of the most widely reported and tragic local cases culminated in a major sentence in Lawrence County Superior Court II.
On November 23, 2022, an unresponsive 20-month-old Elliaunna Margi “Elli” Plummer was rushed to IU Health Bedford Hospital and then flown to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis.
Her mother, 33-year-old Cheyenne Hill of Bedford, was arrested and charged with a Level 1 felony of neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
Elili died at Riley Children’s Hospital on November 26, 2022. The young girl had been diagnosed with a brain bleed, a broken collar bone, and head and facial bruising. The girl’s death was later ruled a homicide as a result of blunt force trauma to her head. The toddler was also determined to be malnourished at the time of her death.
In February 2024, Hill was found guilty by a jury of her peers of neglect of a dependent resulting in death. She was sentenced to 30 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections for the Level 1 felony.
The Brittany Medina case (Jury trial pending)
Brittany D. Medina, of Mitchell, remains held without bond in the Lawrence County Jail on two counts of murder and two counts of Level 1 felony neglect of a dependent resulting in death. The tragic case dates back to the afternoon of Tuesday, September 26, 2023, when Medina walked into the Lawrence County Jail in Bedford and confessed to corrections officers that she had just drowned her two young children.
Emergency responders and Indiana State Police detectives dispatched to her home on Brook Street in Mitchell discovered 3-year-old Jackson and 1-year-old Maddie unresponsive in a bathtub. Both toddlers were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Medina admitted to heavy substance use the night before the incident, including cocaine and prescription medications. She told investigators that she began hearing severe commanding voices in her head, giving her an ultimatum to either send her children to “Heaven” or face severe, ongoing torture from unidentified individuals. Medina recounted drawing the bath, kissing both children, and holding them underwater until they no longer had a pulse before changing clothes and driving straight to the jail.
In December 2025, Medina’s defense team and the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office reached a negotiated agreement to avoid a trial. Medina pleaded “guilty but mentally ill” to two counts of Level 1 felony neglect of a dependent resulting in death. In exchange for the plea, the two counts of murder were dismissed. The state’s logic in accepting the plea centered around Medina’s documented mental health state at the time of the offense, her immediate self-surrender, and her full confession to investigators. However, Judge Robert Cline rejected that plea deal.
With the plea agreement thrown out, court records indicate that an extensive, two-week block has been carved out for the high-profile trial to ensure a complete presentation of the evidence, mental health evaluations, and witness testimonies, beginning with jury selection on Monday, November 2, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. in Lawrence County Superior Court I.
Because Medina faces top-tier murder charges, she could face a sentence of 45 to 65 years or life without parole on each count if convicted by a Lawrence County jury.
What to Expect When You Call
The Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline acts as the direct link between concerned citizens and local caseworkers or law enforcement officers in Bedford, Mitchell, and surrounding areas. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Anyone with a genuine suspicion of child abuse or neglect should immediately call 1-800-800-5556.
When dialing the hotline, you will speak with a trained intake specialist. Callers can choose to remain completely anonymous, and all information shared is kept strictly confidential.
While you do not need concrete proof to make a report—a reasonable suspicion is enough—the intake worker will ask for as many specific details as you can provide to help local Lawrence County DCS staff assess the situation:
- The child’s name, approximate age, and gender.
- The parents’ names, home address, and telephone number (if known).
- A clear description of the suspected abuse or neglect, including any physical marks, behavioral changes, or environmental hazards.
- The name of the alleged perpetrator, if known.
Once a report is taken, it is evaluated immediately. If it meets legal criteria for an investigation, it is forwarded directly to the local Lawrence County DCS office to initiate a multi-agency response, often collaborating with local police or the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
Local Lawrence County Resources and Numbers
While the toll-free hotline is the official hub for documenting and routing abuse reports, several local agencies provide support, investigation, and advocacy for children and families in the county.
| Agency | Role / Service | Contact Number |
| Emergency Services | Imminent danger or active crises | 911 |
| Indiana Child Abuse Hotline | Primary reporting line for abuse/neglect | 1-800-800-5556 |
| Lawrence County DCS Office | Local branch handling casework & local investigations (659 X Street, Bedford) | 812-277-2044 |
| Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office | Local law enforcement response & protection | 812-275-3316 |
| Bedford Police Department | City-specific emergency and non-emergency police response | 812-275-3311 |
Failing to report suspected child abuse in Indiana is not just a missed opportunity to help; it is legally classified as a Class B misdemeanor. Local child advocates emphasize that it is always better to call and let professionals investigate rather than remain silent for fear of being wrong.
