ARLINGTON, IN – Authorities have charged a 31-year-old Indiana mother with neglect after investigators say she left her four children inside their home while it was on fire, resulting in the death of her 7-year-old son.
The incident unfolded on June 5, when emergency crews responded to a 911 call around 2 p.m. reporting a house fire with a child trapped inside on the 2000 Block of North CR 700 W in Arlington. When responders arrived, they found the residence engulfed in flames and made repeated efforts to reach the boy, but were unable to save him. The Rush County Coroner’s Office later confirmed the child, identified as David Bowers Jr., had died at the scene.
Kirstin D. Bowers was arrested last week and faces charges of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, officials announced. She is being held without bond in the Shelby County Jail on unrelated charges and is scheduled for an initial court appearance on July 30 in Rush County Circuit Court.
According to investigators, several aspects of the incident initially appeared suspicious. Bowers told authorities that she had fallen asleep in bed while smoking a cigarette and woke to find her bed on fire. She claimed to have tried getting her children out one by one but said she was unable to save David due to the smoke and flames.
Investigators say Bowers made two 911 calls on the day of the fire. The first call disconnected before details could be provided, and about 15 minutes later, she called again to report her son was still inside the house.
As detectives reviewed evidence, including surveillance footage, digital records, and interviews with witnesses, they determined Bowers had walked several blocks away from the residence during the fire. Three of the children managed to escape on their own, but David did not make it out, authorities said.
Further details emerged about the family, with neighbors reporting frequent arguments between Bowers and her husband. In the days leading up to the fire, one neighbor recalled Bowers shouting hostile remarks at her husband, expressing anger and resentment.
A review of Bowers’ cell phone revealed that she had sent her husband heated messages about being left alone with the children. On the day after the fire, police say Bowers performed internet searches related to manslaughter and child homicide sentences in Indiana.
Officers noted that despite claiming to have assisted her children during the blaze, Bowers showed no signs of smoke exposure and lacked any visible soot. She also advised officers to disregard any statements by neighbors about her leaving the house as it burned, insisting she had already returned.
In response to his son’s death, Bowers’ husband immediately urged police to arrest her and later filed for divorce on July 9.
Local officials expressed condolences to the community and commended volunteer firefighters for their efforts during the fatal fire. Arlington, a small town, has faced several tragedies in recent years and authorities acknowledged the emotional toll this latest incident has taken on the residents.
Bowers remains in custody as the investigation continues and her court date approaches.