Mother of slain toddler speaks out

CAMBY, Ind. - A Morgan County mother blames the Department of Child Services for her son's death because case workers failed to recognize warning signs of abuse.

Jean Seal told 24-Hour News 8 she can't understand why anyone would hurt her child.

"He was always happy all the time - running around, playing with his bigger brothers. He'd always put a smile on your face if you're depressed. He can just change you in a minute," said Jean, sharing memories of her little boy.

Skyler Dunn was 2 years old. Every other weekend he visited his father, Allen, at the Camby home Allen shared with his wife, Autumn, and her parents. Autumn told police that during a visit on May 21, she lost her temper and purposely dropped the child. On Wednesday, the Marion County prosecutor charged Autumn with murder .

The affidavit indicates the toddler suffered two skull fractures and massive brain bleeding. And this may not have been the first time that Autumn abused her stepson. Skyler's mother said that months ago she began noticing bruising on Skyler's face after the weekend visits.

"They started little, here and there. Maybe he was falling down or something. But they got bigger every other weekend as he left me," said Seal.

Autumn said the toddler fell. But Skyler's mother took him to the doctor.

"The doctor said that doesn't look right from falling. They look worse than a fall," she said, noting the doctor called Child Protective Services.

Records show a DCS case worker visited the family in January. Seal said the worker questioned her as well as Skyler's father, stepmother and grandparents. But Seal said she never questioned the children in the homes.

She said DCS interviewed the children only after Skyler suffered fatal brain injuries. In an interview with Skyler's stepsister, the child told the caseworker her mother "hits him in the face." And, according to court documents, under questioning, Autumn admitted as much, saying those hits left bruises.

Seal said had DCS fully investigated Skyler's injuries in January, her child could have been saved.

"If they suspected anything, I would never have let him go back to that house ever again. I would have made his father come to my house and see our child," she said.

A Department of Child Services spokeswoman said laws mandating confidentiality prevent them from commenting on the case at this time.

In the meantime, the family is preparing to bury their son. The family is accepting contributions to pay for burial expenses at any First Merchants Bank .