The Tell City Police Department confirmed that an Indiana-based couple has been arrested after the malnourished toddler died under extremely poor conditions. Investigators allege the child may have been driven to eat diapers due to severe hunger.

The victim has been identified as Erik Reichard.

According to police, Trevor Reichard-Hayes, 39, and Katherine Carter, 31, were arrested on April 3, 2026, in connection with Erik’s death.

Court documents cited by Fox News state that Carter told police the child had been eating his diapers. A detective noted in the affidavit that the toddler was likely doing so out of hunger.

Authorities also said the parents waited approximately 14 hours after last seeing the child alive before calling emergency services, according to police and court records.

Both suspects are currently being held at the Perry County Detention Center and face multiple charges, including murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, neglect resulting in serious bodily injury, and additional counts of neglect.

Detailing the incident, police said officers responded to a 911 call on March 31, 2026, at around 1:19 pm at a residence on Guttenberg Lane, where an unresponsive child was reported.

“Upon arrival, officers immediately assessed the condition of the child and were soon assisted by Perry County Emergency Medical Services. Regrettably, the two-year-old, identified as Erik Reichard, was pronounced dead at the scene,” the police statement said.

The case remains under investigation.