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Mother sentenced to prison in baby's death

Posted at 12:42 PM, Apr 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-16 12:51:00-04

INDIANAPOLIS—An Indianapolis woman is going to prison for her role in the death of her infant daughter.

A Marion County judge sentenced Janet Ringer to eight years after she pleaded guilty to a charge of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Serious Injury.

Prior to a plea agreement, Ringer was also charged with Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death.

William Moss, the father of infant Ruth Ringer, is scheduled for trial next month.

He is charged with Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death.

According to the Marion County Coroner, two-month-old Ruth Ringer died in 2017 from malnutrition and dehydration.

Police officers found the infant at home in the 900 block of West 33rd Street after the death was reported to 911.

After the baby's death, a state investigation found the Department of Child Services failed to report or follow up on concerns about the care Ruth was receiving and did not address "mitigating factors" surrounding the child's welfare.

At the time, DCS said it could not comment on the case because of "state confidentiality laws."