Inset: Isabella N. Bertinelli (Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office). Background: The Evansville Police Department in Indiana (Google Maps).
A 21-year-old mother in Indiana is accused of sleeping and saying her nonverbal, autistic 4-year-old daughter would "be dead" after the child escaped from their hotel room and was found running alone through a parking garage.
Isabella Nadine Bertinelli was taken into custody Monday and charged with one count of felony neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury in connection with the incident, court records show.
The investigation into Bertinelli began June 3, when officers with the Evansville Police Department responded to a call regarding a young girl found running around alone in the parking garage of a local hotel, local NBC affiliate WFIE reported, citing a probable cause affidavit.
Shortly after arriving and locating the child, authorities discovered she had been staying in Bertinelli's room, escaped, and then wandered into the parking garage.
When officers brought the child back to Bertinelli's room, they reportedly found Bertinelli asleep on a couch.
Investigators said they later learned that Bertinelli's boyfriend had asked Bertinelli what she believed might happen to the child, to which she allegedly answered, "She will be dead."
The investigation also raised red flags regarding what was taking place inside Bertinelli's room while the child was present.
Police reportedly accused Bertinelli of engaging in sex work in the room, allegedly soliciting customers and allowing several people inside. During those alleged encounters, it was not clear who, if anyone, was in charge of caring for the 4-year-old child.
Following a preliminary investigation, the Department of Child Services removed the child from Bertinelli's care and placed her in her father's care.
A forensic search of Bertinelli's cellphone reportedly revealed that in late June, she had been searching online for ways to obtain drugs such as methamphetamine and ecstasy.
During a subsequent drug test, Bertinelli allegedly submitted water instead of a urine sample. When detectives questioned her about the sample, she reportedly admitted to the ruse, saying she did so because she had been smoking marijuana.
Authorities later issued a warrant for Bertinelli's arrest.
She was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail Monday and released after posting a $1,000 cash bond, records show.