A heartbreaking case of alleged neglect in Indiana has led to the death of a 2-year-old girl, with her parents now facing severe criminal charges. Authorities responded to a death investigation at an apartment complex in Berne, Indiana, on November 27, where they found a chilling scene.

Inside a closet, police discovered the toddler’s lifeless body, along with signs of neglect, including trash, a soiled diaper, and feces. The space heater left on in the closet caused the room to reach deadly temperatures, with the child’s body temperature measuring as high as 109 degrees Fahrenheit. Police later determined that the girl had been left in the closet for over 18 hours without being checked.

The parents, Sintia Perez and Jace Hirschy, admitted to leaving the child in her crib inside the closet with the space heater turned on overnight. An autopsy confirmed that the child died from hyperthermia, caused by prolonged exposure to extreme heat. In the wake of the tragedy, the couple’s two other children were removed from the home, as authorities reported they were living in unhealthy conditions.

Perez and Hirschy now face charges of neglect resulting in death, along with additional charges for the unsafe living conditions of their other children. The couple remains in custody following their court appearance.