Daniel James Michael Kreider

WARSAW — A Winona Lake man was sentenced to 12 years in prison after an infant suffered serious injuries while under his care. Medical professionals determined the infant suffered from shaken baby syndrome and may never regain her vision.

Daniel James Michael Kreider, 35, 1202 Wooster Road Lot 26, Winona Lake, was charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, a level 3 felony. Charges of battery resulting in serious bodily injury to a person less than 14 years of age and aggravated battery were dismissed.

On May 4, 2019, an officer was dispatched to Kreider’s residence regarding a report of CPR in progress on an infant. Upon arrival, the officer saw Kreider had performed CPR on an unresponsive infant. The infant was resuscitated by medics and taken to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

According to court documents, Kreider first told the officer that he was watching the infant for the infant’s mother and that he was watching the infant alone for the night.

The officer was then contacted by a caseworker with Child Protective Services, who expressed concern that the infant’s injuries had been caused by Kreider.

On May 5, 2019, an officer spoke with a doctor from Lutheran Hospital. The doctor said an MRI was conducted on the infant and subdural bleeding of the brain was discovered. The doctor also confirmed bruising on the infant’s head and a cut on her lip.

On May 6, 2019, an officer received a report from an ophthalmologist at Lutheran Hospital. The doctor said he observed hemorrhages in the infant’s eyes and slated an assessment of shaken baby syndrome. The doctor also said there was a poor prognosis of the infant regaining her vision and that the injuries were a result of abuse.

On May 10, 2019, officers met with a pediatric trauma surgeon involved with the infant’s case. The surgeon said there were bruises on the infant’s head that appeared to be finger indentations that were caused within 24 hours of the infant being examined. The surgeon also said that symptoms of shaken baby syndrome occurred quickly after the injury, either immediately or within two hours. According to the surgeon, the injuries were nearly fatal.

“Mr. Kreider has committed one of the worst acts imaginable,” said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz. “The charge of neglect alone does not exclude the actual abuse that occurred.”

Voelz said there are four aggravating circumstances involved with this case, including Kreider’s criminal history, his failure to successfully complete probation, a sporadic employment history and the age of the victim.

“This was a significant, long-lasting impact on the victim,” said Voelz.

Defense Attorney Austin Rovenstine asked the court to consider that Kreider has accepted responsibility for his actions. He also noted that Kreider administering aid to the victim is a mitigating factor.

“A long prison sentence would create undue hardship on his dependents,” said Rovenstine. “He is extremely remorseful for his actions.”

Kosciusko County Superior Court 1 Judge David Cates sentenced Kreider to 12 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections.

“This was a two-month old that nearly died, and you were in a position of care,” said Cates.