Pregnant Indiana Mom Charged After 22-Month-Old Daughter Dies in 118-Degree Bathtub

A 32-year-old Indiana mother is facing a serious felony charge after her 22-month-old daughter died in a bathtub incident involving dangerously hot water and extensive burns. Investigators say the toddler, Juliana Lucille Payton, was found unresponsive at her family’s home in Mitchell, Indiana, on November 5, 2026. Her mother, Amanda B. Lane, has been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death.

According to court documents, emergency responders were called to the home on West Hancock Avenue shortly after noon. Juliana’s father had returned home after attending a court hearing and stopping at a grocery store. When he asked Lane where their daughter was, she reportedly told him the child was in the bathtub. He rushed to the bathroom and found the toddler floating face down in the water, unresponsive. He pulled her out and sought help while emergency services were contacted. Juliana was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Investigators later documented severe burns across the child’s body, with blistering and peeling skin. Police also tested the bathtub water and reportedly found that it measured 118 degrees Fahrenheit. The investigation revealed that a witness had placed Juliana in the bathtub earlier that morning at Lane’s request, reportedly to help soothe a diaper rash. The witness said she used only about one or two inches of warm water and left the home around 10:30 a.m., believing Lane knew the toddler was still in the tub.

The witness later became concerned and attempted to contact Lane through Facebook Messenger at approximately 10:44 a.m. According to the probable cause affidavit, Lane did not respond until 11:24 a.m., when she allegedly wrote, “I can’t get her out, and she’s pissed.” When the witness offered to call someone for assistance, Lane reportedly responded that everything was fine, adding, “Don’t worry about it” and “I got it.” Authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding those messages as part of the investigation.

Juliana’s father reportedly told investigators that Lane was pregnant and that their daughter had appeared happy and active earlier that morning. Lane was arrested following the investigation by Indiana State Police and charged with one count of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony under Indiana law. She appeared in court on November 9, and prosecutors are reportedly seeking a habitual-offender sentencing enhancement based on her prior criminal history.

The case remains in the court system, and the charge against Lane is an allegation—not a conviction. She is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The investigation has raised troubling questions about the events leading up to the toddler’s death and the decisions made while she was left in the bathtub.

Source: https://lawandcrime.com/crime/pregnant-mom-texted-dont-worry-about-it-as-22-month-old-daughter-was-left-to-scald-and-drown-in-118-degree-bathtub-police/