Muncie mother of 5 arrested for neglect

MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) - A Muncie mother of five is accused of not feeding two of her kids. Now she’s facing preliminary felony neglect charges.

“Every so often I do get surprised by a case. When I saw these children I knew that at first sight of them that they were significantly underweight,” explains Sergeant Linda Cook, investigator with the Muncie Police Department.

The probable cause affidavit states a 3-year-old daughter weighed only 21 pounds and a 14-month-old girl was the size of a 6-month-old baby.

“She only weighed 14 pounds," said Sergeant Cook. "Very lethargic acting. No teeth. One tooth cutting through the gums. When I saw her she was laying down and couldn't pick up her head. Very weak."

Investigator Cook says the 25-year-old mother has five children, three of which were in her care at the time.

Sergeant Cook says an anonymous call tipped authorities off. Jessica Jordan happened to be in the hospital at IU Health Ball Memorial after she just delivered her fifth child.

Officials were then able to examine the children and determine two of them were so underweight that the few immunizations they did receive would not be effective.

“She told us she was feeding them three meals a day and snacks in between meals. We told her obviously they aren't getting enough. Maybe she was not telling us the whole truth too,” says Cook.

Cook says Jordan told police she receives $526 a month in food stamps. Jordan's oldest child was not in her care at the time and lives with family members.

The other four are currently in foster care.

The Delaware County Prosecutor's office has not filed formal charges yet. They have until Jan. 30.

Cook says Jordan told police the father is in jail on separate charges.