Charges filed in baby’s hit & run death

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - On the day a 6-month-old girl was buried, prosecutors formally charged the man accused of causing her death.

John Daugherty has been charged with one count of failure to stop after an accident resulting in death. Friday, Daugherty also made his second appearance in court this week.

Click here to read Probable Cause Affidavit

Prosecutors believe Daugherty was driving the car that struck 6-month-old Adrianne Marlette as her mother and her mother's boyfriend were walking with her on 21st Street near Bridgton Drive.

Michael Stinson, who was pushing Adrianne's stroller, was injured in the hit and run accident. Adrianne died the next day at Riley Hospital.

Her mother, Nicole Wade witnessed the accident, but was not hurt.

Ed Zych prosecutes cases for the Marion County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team, or FACT.

"I would say I've been the prosecutor for the FACT team for five years and this is the youngest victim that we've had," said Zych. "So it is a tragedy. And child cases are always difficult."

In court papers filed Friday, prosecutors said they have video of the parking lot near the accident scene where Daugherty parked and left his car shortly after the accident.

Those papers say, "As Daugherty exits his vehicle and walks away from it, he can be seen stumbling as he walks."

They also say the car that they believe hit Adrianne was registered in the name of Daugherty's parents and had hair and skin embedded in the exterior.

Zych said it can be difficult to find evidence in hit-and-run cases.

"Sometimes it can be, but we wouldn't bring charges if we didn't feel that we had the proper evidence to prosecute him."

Daugherty's attorneys declined interviews Friday, and Daugherty has declined as well.

Besides the charge in Adrianne's death, Daugherty faces a charge of failing to stop after an accident resulting in serious bodily injury. That charge comes from the injuries Michael Stinson received.

Daugherty's trial is set for September 28.