On June 16th, two arrests were made in connection with the death of an 8-month-old child. The initial investigation began on November 16th, 2015 at 8:06am when Lafayette police officers were called to St. Elizabeth East Hospital in reference to a child that had been pronounced dead. With assistance from the Prosecutor’s Office, Coroner’s Office, and the Department of Child services, the case was presented to a Tippecanoe County grand jury. The following subjects were charged and have been arrested:
Chad A. Giroux, Jr. (26 years old and of Lafayette)
- Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death (Level 1 Felony)
- Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (Level 3 Felony)
- Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Bodily Injury (Level 5 Felony)
- Neglect of a Dependent (Level 6 Felony)
- Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony)
- False Informing/Perjury (Level 6 Felony)
- False Informing (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Failure to Report a Dead Body (Class A Misdemeanor)
Makenzie D. Shultz (21 years old and of Lafayette)
- Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death (Level 1 Felony)
- Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (Level 3 Felony)
- Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Bodily Injury (Level 5 Felony)
- Neglect of a Dependent (Level 6 Felony)
- Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony)
- False Informing/Perjury (Level 6 Felony)
- False Informing/Perjury (Level 6 Felony)
- False Informing (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Failure to Report a Dead Body (Class A Misdemeanor)
Both subjects were arrested on related warrants and transported to the Tippecanoe County Jail. The fact a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Lt. Brian Gossard
Community Outreach and Crime Prevention
Lafayette Police Department