Docs: Alexandria couple charged with neglect after burning child in bath, causing other injuries

ALEXANDRIA, Ind. — An Alexandria couple has been charged after an investigation uncovered that they reportedly burned their child when they put the child in for a bath in October 2023 and caused other injuries.

According to court documents, filed in late June by the Alexandria Police Department, 29-year-old Codie Watts and 34-year-old Shaun Watts were both charged with one count of neglect of a dependent, a Level 3 felony, in Madison County court.

In October 2023, investigators detailed a number of incidents surrounding Watts’ infant, who was born in August 2023. Investigators allege that on Oct. 11, 2023, there was an incident where the infant stopped breathing and the parents did not seek medical treatment.

On Oct. 26, 2023, the infant reportedly suffered first- and second-degree burns during a bath given by Codie Watts. At the time, the parents did not seek medical treatment for the child, later telling investigators that they did not want the Department of Child Services to get involved.

The next day, Codie Watts brought the child to an emergency room in Anderson where officials saw that the infant had “incurred a mix of first- and second-degree burns.” The physician reportedly estimated that 16-20% of the infant’s body had been burned.

Codie Watts initially told hospital staff that the infant had “suffered an immersion burn” from a hot bath. The documents said that the burns to the infant were “not consistent with an immersion burn based on their location on the child’s body.”

After other tests were conducted on the infant, physicians also reportedly found that the child had 14 bilateral healing fractures to the ribs, as well as six additional suspected fractures.

In initial interviews with both Codie Watts and Shaun Watts, they told police that they had checked the water temperature with a digital thermometer before giving the infant a bath. They also said that the other injuries came from the child’s car seat, routine handling and that the scratches found were “self-inflicted.”

On Oct. 28, a doctor from a local children’s hospital said that the stories given by the Watts were “inconsistent” with the infant’s injuries, stating that the injuries were “most indicative of non-accidental/inflicted trauma.” The doctors also were concerned about the child’s weight after the parents said they were not feeding her overnight.

Another doctor agreed with the initial findings, stating that the rib fractures are “characteristic of physical abuse.” The second doctor also said that the infant was at risk for further and possibly fatal injury “without meaningful intervention.”

After two more interviews in 2023, Codie and Shaun Watts were interviewed again on June 26, where they continued to “deny intentionally inflicting the bone injuries,” something that they did not provide a credible explanation for in previous interviews.

The documents said that Codie Watts reportedly admitted to causing the burns by leaving the infant under the hot running water while giving her a bath.

An initial hearing in this case occurred Monday afternoon, according to court documents. Both Codie Watts and Shaun Watts have each been released on a $5,000 bond.

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