An autopsy performed Friday revealed the toddler died from asphyxiation, and her death was ruled a homicide.
Indiana State police said there is no known weapon connected to the case.
Kyle Parker, 22 of Spencer, was taken into custody Thursday night and is currently being held in connection with this case.
Mrs. Alice Cravens Purnell age 71, formerly of Borden, passed away Thursday, March 24 at Kindred Hospital in Louisville.
Mrs. Purnell was born January 27, 1945 in Jamestown, Tennessee the daughter of Curtis and Ernie Copeland Cravens. She was a homemaker.
Alice married Jimmy Sparks who preceded her in death, she then married Charles Purnell. She is survived by her husband: Charles Purnell, two sons: James Sparks of Borden and Paul W. Sparks of Chattanooga, Tennessee and two grandchildren: Payton Sparks and Maycee Sparks. She was preceded in death by her first husband: Jimmy Sparks, two brothers: James C. Cravens and Jimmy Ray Cravens, four sisters: Cora Cravens Hargis, Arizona Cravens Lee, Margaret Jane Cravens Smith, Vetchel Cravens Anderson and a half-sister: Gene Walls.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 6:00PM at Weathers Funeral Home. Visitation will be Monday from 4-6PM Monday at Weathers Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held Tuesday at 1:00PM at Tomlinson Cemetery in Muncie, Indiana.
A 22-year old man arrested in connection with the death of 14-month-old Shaylyn Ammerman in Owen County is being held on multiple charges.
According to officials at the Owen County Jail, Kyle Parker faces two counts of obstruction of justice, a count of failure to report a dead body and a count of unlawful disposition of a dead body.
Friday morning, Owen County Sheriff Leonard Sam Hobbs offered only a cursory update on the investigation, deferring to Indiana State Police.
He said Parker hasn’t made any statements since being taken to the Owen County Jail.
He described the investigation as ongoing and said it would be a “long day” for investigators as they gather information about the case. Investigators were awaiting autopsy results Friday.
The body of Shaylyn Ammerman was found Thursday night.
According to Indiana State Police, the remains were discovered around 6 p.m. in a remote area located near the White River and northeast of Gosport.
Police announced late Thursday that Parker had been arrested in connection with the case.
“The baby’s safe with God now,” Hobbs told reporters Friday. “A tragedy like this can bring out the best in people. The community has been nothing but the best, and I thank God for that.”
Hobbs said there were three or four “persons of interest” in the case. He couldn’t comment on any warrants related to the investigation. As for Parker, Indiana State Police said they were still connecting the dots.
“We do know he was in the house that night, but we don’t know where his whereabouts were, we cannot draw a map right now of what happened when he left that house,” Sgt. Curt Durnil with Indiana State Police said Thursday night.
“We do not believe he was family, however he was allowed in the home on the night of her disappearance,” Durnil told WSLM.
The little girl was reported missing Wednesday morning. She was last seen at the home where her father and grandmother live in the 400 block of West Jefferson Street in Spencer.
Her father, Justin Ammerman, said his mother put the child down for bed just before midnight Tuesday. When he woke in the morning, she was gone, setting off a large search.
Durnil said the investigation was far from over
“Let me be really frank here. Please don’t feel like because we’ve found a body and we’ve made an arrest that this case is anywhere near over. This case is just getting started with more interviews, with more investigative tactics with everything that we have at our disposal we will use to bring those who are responsible for this little girl’s death to justice,” Durnil said.
Justin Ammerman’s brother, Adam, said Kyle Parker had been drinking at the home on the night Shaylyn vanished.
State police cautioned that the investigation into the case could take weeks, if not months.
According to court records, Parker has been charged in the past with possession of paraphernalia and possession of a synthetic or lookalike drug. He’s also been picked up for possession of marijuana and illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage, records show. In another case, Parker was charged with criminal trespassing and a protection order was filed by his victim.
The search has ended for 14-month Shaylyn Ammerman, who was reported missing from her home on Wednesday night, ended last night with the recovery of her body.
Kyle Parker, 22 of Spencer has been taken into custody and is currently being held in connection with this case.
An autopsy has been scheduled for tomorrow.
Just after 6 o’clock last evening, investigative efforts by several law enforcement agencies led officers to a remote area located near the White River northeast of Gosport.
At this time, Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigators are processing the scene where a baby matching the description of Shaylyn Ammerman was discovered.
The case involving Shaylyn Michelle Kay Ammerman is ongoing and many leads still need to be investigated.
Investigations of this nature often take weeks or longer to complete and additional time to be reviewed by the prosecuting authority.
Positive identification and cause of death of the discovered infant will be made by the Owen County Coroner’s Office. I anticipate that information being released over the course of the next few days.
Mr. Roger Riggs age 68 of Salem passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at U of L Hospital.
Mr. Riggs was born December 22, 1947 in Decator Illinois son of Charles and Bonnie Cole Riggs.
He is survived by his wife Lometta Campbell Riggs, 2 Daughters: Janese Walls (Bob) and Janette Amos (James) both of Salem, 10 Grandchildren and 12 Great Grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother Gale Riggs.
He is a retired employee of Kimball’s and a member of Enon Baptist Church, where he was a trustee. Also a member of the Double Y saddle club in Edinburg, he helped with the Corky Smedley scholarship fund and the 4-H horse shows for many years. Funeral services will be Saturday at 11:00 A.M. at Weathers Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4p.m-8p.m. and Saturday 9 A.M. –time of service.
More than 1300 customers of Jackson County REMC lost power this morning after a squirrel got into the Mt. Tabor Substation and did damage.
According to the Jackson County REMC office in Brownstown there are approx. 1,303 customers without power in the following areas:
Jefferson
Madison
Washington
Posey
Howard
Vernon
Power should be restored by 1p.
Just before 9 o’clock this morning the Spencer Police Department was summonsed to 489 West Jefferson Street regarding a missing infant.
Once information was gathered regarding the circumstances of the case, Chief Rich Foutch requested assistance from area law enforcement agencies and a search for the child began.
Several “attempt to locates” were dispatched throughout the day including those for vehicles and persons of interest.
Throughout the day, investigators have interviewed several witnesses including family of the infant. Those interviews are still in progress at the time of this release. Search warrants have also been issued for different homes and vehicles.
No arrests have been made.
The child, Shaylyn Michelle Kay Ammerman is described as a 15 month old white female, 49 inches tall, 20 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a white zip up sleeper decorated with owls and a purple pacifier was attached. Shaylyn may also have a blue and white “Winnie the Pooh” blanket with her.
Police have continued to search areas in Spencer near the Jefferson Street address; to the White River and back to State Road 46. The Indiana Conservation Officers have searched the White River in the that area, using sonar equipment and other technology at their disposal. Officers have also searched other areas in northern Owen County as well.
Tips will remain anonymous.
AGENCIES ASSISTING – Spencer Police Department, Owen County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, Indiana Conservation Officers, Owen Valley Fire Department, Vigo County Search & Rescue, Owen County Rescue, Owen County Emergency Management, Owen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Mrs. Margaret E. Tatlock age 95 of Salem passed away Tuesday, March 22 at Salem Crossing.
Mrs. Tatlock was born August 31, 1920 in Salem the daughter of Estil and Grace Dalton Callahan. She was a former employee of Traveler’s and retired from Bata Shoe Company. She was a member of Salem United Methodist Church.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband: Glenn A. Tatlock on December 17, 1991, a son: Gary Tatlock, a son-in-law: Lee Tempel, three brothers: Charles, Bill and Bob Callahan, a sister: Frances Porter and her parents.
She is survived by a son: Charles “Sonny” Tatlock (Jackie) of Salem, three daughters: Judy Thompson (Gerald) of Salem, Gerry Tempel of St. Louis, Missouri, and Karen Ingram (Kenny) of Salem, a brother: Donald Callahan (Ann) of Connersville, Indiana, ten grandchildren: Michelle Sowder, Margaret Svec, Marla Sease, James Glenn Thompson, Cindy Jean Laba, Gwen Maloney, Heather Golden, Glenn Martin, Jenny Woodward and Jeremy Ingram, 16 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held Friday at 2:00PM at Crown Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-8PM and Friday from noon-2PM at Weathers Funeral Home.
OPENING TIP
• Indiana University is the #5 seed in the East Region and will face #1 seed North Carolina, in the East Regional Semifinals of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Philadelphia at approx. 9:57p.
Tune in on WSLM 97.9 FM for the pre-game show at approx. 8:57p.
The winner will advance to the East Region Final in Philadelphia on Sunday.
Friday will be the 100th NCAA tournament game for the Hoosiers.
The Hoosiers are making their Big Ten-best 39th NCAA Tournament appearance and are 66-33 all-time in the event.
DID YOU KNOW
• IU won its 22nd Big Ten title (tied for most with Purdue) and its 13th outright crown, this season.
• IU Coach Tom Crean has guided the Hoosiers to four NCAA bids in the last five seasons and is one of four finalists for the 2016 Naismith National Coach of the Year.
BIG TEN COACH OF THE YEAR TOM CREAN
• Tom Crean is in his eighth year at IU and has led them to outright Big Ten titles in 2013 and 2016. Over the last five years, IU is 120-52 and leads the Big Ten with 23 regular season wins over ranked opponents during that time. Since 2011, the Hoosiers have averaged 23 wins per season compared to 20 averaged at IU from 1995-2008. For his efforts this season, he was named Big Ten Coach of the Year (AP, Big Ten Coaches, Big Ten Media and CBSSports.com). He also was named USBWA District V Coach of the Year.
TOM CREAN’S 1,000 POINT SCORERS BY RECRUITING CLASS
2008-Verdell Jones III (1,347)
2009-Christian Watford (1,730) and Jordan Hulls (1,318)
2010-Will Sheehey (1,120) and Victor Oladipo (1,117)
2011-Cody Zeller (1,157)
2012-Yogi Ferrell (1,961)
2013-Troy Williams (1,094)
HOOSIER SHOOTING
• IU is second in the country in field goal percentage (50.5), fifth in 3-point field goal percentage (41.6), ninth in scoring margin (+13.5), 10th in scoring offense (82.5), and 13th in 3-point field goals made per game (9.8).
FERRELL IS 45TH IU ALL-AMERICAN
• Senior guard Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell was named second-team All-American by USA Today, The Sporting News, NBCSports.com and ESPN.com. He is a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten choice and becomes the first Hoosier to earn that distinction in consecutive years since Calbert Cheaney did in 1991, 92 and 93. He also is a member of the league’s All-Defensive Team.
• His 20-point, 10-assist performance vs. Chattanooga was just the second such game in IU history. Keith Smart posted 20 points and 15 assists on March 14, 1987 vs. Auburn. He had 18 points, five rebounds and four assists against Kentucky.
IU VS. UNC IN NCAA TOURNAMENT
3/30/81 W 63-50 Philadelphia (Nat. Champ.)
3/22/84 W 72-68 Atlanta (East Region)
MORE NATIONAL HONORS
• Ferrell is being considered for the Wooden and Naismith Awards for National Player of the Year. He was also named one of five finalists for the Cousy Award, given to the nation’s top point guard. Ferrell is the only player in Big Ten History with 1,900 points, 600 assists, 400 rebounds and 250 3-pointers made (Michigan’s Gary Grant had 2,200 points, 700 assists and 400 rebounds). He is IU’s all-time leader in games started (136) and assists with 629. He joins IU greats Calbert Cheaney, Don Schlundt, Damon Bailey, and Kent Benson to rank among the top 10 scorers all-time at IU and win multiple Big Ten titles.
THROUGH TWO NCAA TOURNAMENT GAMES
• IU ranks third in field goal percentage (56.9%), 3-point field goal percentage (53.2%), and fourth in scoring (86.9).
• The Hoosiers have the best perimeter defense among Sweet 16 teams, allowing opponents to shoot just 21.2% from three-point range.
• The Hoosiers have forced the most turnovers among Sweet 16 teams at 15.5 per game with opponents earning just 8.5 assists.
JAMES BLACKMON JR.
Sophomore guard James Blackmon, Jr., (15.8 ppg) is out for the season after he had surgery on his right knee. In his two years with the Hoosiers, IU is 21-0 anytime he shot 47.0 percent or higher from the field. He is the Big Ten sophomore class career leader in scoring averaging 15.7 ppg.
ODDS AND TRENDS
• Senior graduate transfer Max Bielfeldt is the first Big Ten hoops player to win championships at two different league schools (Michigan 2, IU 1). He is averaging 8.1 points and 4.6 rebounds and was the Big Ten SIxth Man of the Year this season. He played in the 2013 Final Four with Michigan and advanced to the Elite Eight in 2014 with the Wolverines. He has shot 44.1% (26-of-59) from long distance this season.
• Sophomore Robert Johnson is shooting 44.7 percent from 3-point range. The Virginia native returned to action on Thursday against Chattanooga after missing the previous four games with an ankle injury. In the two NCAA games, he is 3-of-4 from long distance.
• Senior graduate transfer Nick Zeisloft is second on the team in 3-point field goals with 65 made. He has started the last six games and has made at least one 3-pointer in each of those games. However, Zeisloft’s defense was a big reason Kentucky was just 4-of-16 from long distance.
• Freshman Thomas Bryant scored 15 of his game-high 19 points against Kentucky in the final 7:32 in the second round game. He made 7-of-9 free throws and added five rebounds and two steals. The Rochester, N.Y., native has two double-doubles on the year and leads the Big Ten in field goal shooting, making 68.9 percent of his attempts.
• Junior Troy Williams had 13 points and 4 rebounds against Kentucky. In three career NCAA Tournament games, he is averaging 12 points and 8 rebounds. He also has made 15-of-17 free throw attempts (88.2%) in NCAA Tournament play.
• Junior Collin Hartman started 16 B1G games this season and averaged 5.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in those games. He has started both NCAA Tournament games and is averaging 5.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals.
• Freshman OG Anunoby had a career-high 14 points against Chattanooga, which came on the heels of a 13-point game vs. Michigan. He has shot 58.0 percent from the field and made 13-of-29 3-point field goal attempts this season. He had 7 points, 3 blocks and 2 steals against UK. Two of his blocks were Jamal Murray 3-pointers and he helped limit the Canadian sharpshooter to a 1-of-9 effort from 3-point range.
• Freshman Juwan Morgan has six points, five rebounds and three steals in 21 minutes of NCAA Tournament action. He has made two of three field goal attempts.
• Senior walk-on Ryan Burton has played eight minutes in the two games and provided the Hoosiers with much needed depth.
LATE NIGHT FOR THE HOOSIERS AND HEELS
• In the 2012 NCAA Tournament, Indiana and Kentucky tipped off at 9:45 p.m. in the Georgia Dome and in the 2008 NCAA tournament, the Hoosiers started their game against Arkansas in Raleigh, N.C., at 9:39 p.m.
• Since February 2, the Hoosiers are 7-0 in games that have started after 8:30 p.m. eastern.
AMONG THE FIELD, MOST SWEET 16 (SINCE ’11-’12)
Wisconsin 4
Indiana 3
Duke 3
Kansas 3
North Carolina 3
Syracuse 3
Gonzaga 2
Iowa State 2
Miami 2
Oklahoma 2
Virginia 2
Oregon 2
Villanova/Maryland/Texas A & M 1
The star of the latest season of ABC’s reality TV series “The Bachelor” will serve as grand marshal for this year’s men’s and women’s Little 500 bicycle races.
Ben Higgins, an Indiana University alumnus, will be accompanied at Little 500 race events by his fiancée Lauren Bushnell.
The race is April 15 – 16 at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
The Little 500 is the largest collegiate bike race in the United States. Modeled after the Indianapolis 500, riders compete in four-person teams around a quarter-mile cinder track. The men’s race is 200 laps – 50 miles – and the women’s race is 100.
More than 25,000 fans flock to the campus in Bloomington, Indiana, each April to be a part of IU’s storied tradition.
The race began in 1951 as a way to raise scholarship money for students working their way through college. Since that first race, IUSF has given away over $1 million to deserving undergrads.
