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Mother of child who died in Muncie crash faced with multiple charges

Posted at 3:31 PM, May 30, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-30 18:11:30-04

MUNCIE, Ind. – The mother of the 6-year-old girl who died in a crash Sunday in Muncie is facing several charges related to her daughter’s death.

Jessica Skeens, 28, of Farmland was driving a van on the Muncie Bypass when passenger Nathaniel Leon Jordan, 27, punched her and grabbed the steering wheel, according to state police. Police said the couple had been arguing while Skeens was driving.

The van rolled into a ditch killing Skeens’ daughter Taelyn Woodson, who was ejected out of a window.

Police said two children were in child restraint seats, but the other two were not – including Woodson.

Skeens was arrested Tuesday and preliminarily charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, driving while intoxicated causing death, three counts of neglect of a dependent and possession of marijuana.

Reports showed Skeens had a blood alcohol level over .08 percent at the time of the crash, according to police. 

Jordan was previously charged with domestic battery, criminal recklessness and neglect of a dependent.

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