Mom sentenced to life in prison in murder of 5-year-old Kinsleigh Welty

INDIANAPOLIS — A Marion County judge on Thursday sentenced a mother convicted in the murder of her 5-year-old daughter in 2024 to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The sentencing comes just three weeks after a jury found Toni McClure guilty of murder, criminal confinement, and battery on a person under 14.

“If this is not the worst of the worst, then it is close,” Judge James Snyder said. “I had seasoned medics in tears; I had detectives in tears. So many people have failed Kinsleigh Welty.”

The case involves the April 2024 death of McClure’s daughter, Kinsleigh Welty.

Police were called to a home on Denver Drive on Indianapolis’ southwest side after Kinsleigh was found unresponsive. She later died of severe malnutrition.

As the investigation continued, detectives learned Welty had been forced to sleep in a small closet with a dresser placed in front so she couldn’t get out. Investigators said McClure admitted she routinely put Kinsleigh in the closet and did very little to make sure she was properly fed.

The investigation also led to the arrests of McClure’s boyfriend, Ryan Smith, and Kinsleigh’s grandmother, Tammy Halsey.

According to court documents, Halsey sometimes watched Kinsleigh while McClure and Smith went to run errands or attend family events without the child. Investigators said Halsey also used duct tape at times to restrain Kinsleigh and keep her from getting to food.

Smith and Halsey later reached plea agreements with prosecutors. Both pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent and agreed to 20-year sentences.

Smith’s sentence in the Indiana Department of Correction started Aug. 31. Halsey was due in court at 11 a.m. Thursday for her sentencing hearing.

This is a developing story.

Previous coverage

• Mom accused of fatally neglecting 5-year-old daughter had previous neglect conviction
• IMPD: Mom, boyfriend arrested after 5-year-old girl dies at hospital
• Indianapolis mom charged with murder, confinement of 5-year-old appears in court
• Grandmother arrested in connection to death of 5-year-old Indianapolis girl
• Mom admits to neglecting 5-year-old daughter, locking her in closet
• Jury trial for mom charged in ‘horrific’ Kinsleigh Welty death case begins
• Mistrial declared in murder case of mother accused of 5-year-old daughter’s death

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