An Indiana man has been charged with the murder of a two year old boy, in a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the community. Ricky Larkin was arrested after police say he was connected to the tragic death of Je'Loni Smith.

According to police, the discovery of the child came when a call from the Gary Fire Department summoned officers to the 300 block of Arthur Street, about 160 miles northwest of Indianapolis. A press release stated that there was a child at the residence who was not breathing.

The official statement read: "On November 4, 2024, at approximately 5:30pm Gary Police Department received a call for service at a residence in the 300 block of Arthur Street, Gary, Indiana. The call for service was an agency assist to assist Gary Fire Department with a small infant child that was not breathing."

When officers entered the home they "discovered a 2-year-old child inside the house that was not breathing and appeared to be lifeless." Larkin claimed he was preparing the child for a bath in anticipation of one of the mother's friends arriving to pick him up. When confronted about the child's bruises, Larkin insisted he "doesn't hit kids," suggesting the injuries were due to the child slipping in the bathtub.

However, as reported, under intense questioning, Larkin's account shifted, and he conceded to officers that the marks were indicative of physical abuse. In a chilling admission to police, Larkin referred to Smith's death as "karma for all the dirt" he had done in his life and confessed to being under the influence of drugs at the time of the child's passing.

Sadly despite the best efforts of emergency services at the scene the toddler died. It was noted in the police statement that law enforcement had noticed some swelling on the child and notified the Lake County Prosecutor's Homicide Task Force, as well as the Lake County Coroner and Lake County Sherriff Crime Scene Investigations.

According to the statement, Larkin was taken into custody for questioning. On Tuesday, the department announced that they had officially classified the murder as a homicide and that the child had died as a result of blunt force trauma and not drowning. Police later stated they were suspicious of Larkin's story as a search of the house had turned up a metal bat “placed conspicuously” near the child's bed, reports the Mirror US.

Police later expressed their suspicion of Larkin's account as a search of the house revealed a metal bat "placed conspicuously" near the child's bed. Law and Crime later disclosed that Larkin was not the boy's father, but was responsible for looking after the boy while his mother was in hospital following a drug overdose.

The boy's mother admitted she has reservations about leaving Larkin in charge of her son because of his history of violence and drug use. The mother of the deceased boy revealed that on the tragic day, Larkin had urgently called her to collect her children as he "had stuff to do."

He is currently detained at the Lake County Jail without the possibility of bond.