INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis father and his girlfriend were each sentenced to 30 years in prison Monday for their roles in the starvation and abuse death of a 7-year-old boy.

Kevin Gavarrete, 27, and Julia Sizemore, 22, both pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent, a top-level felony, in connection with the 2024 death of Gavarrete’s son, Kayden. Additional charges against them were dismissed as part of the plea deal, online records from Marion Superior Court 7 show.

A redacted police report shared publicly says Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department was called at 3:40 p.m. Dec. 22, 2024, to the home of Gavarrete and Sizemore in the 1300 block of South Pershing Avenue. That’s in a residential and industrial area a few blocks southwest of the West Morris Street bridge over Eagle Creek on the city’s west side. The home is a short walk north of Ross Claypool Park.

IMPD child abuse detectives and the Indiana Department of Child Services were called to the home after the 7-year-old was found dead.

An autopsy later confirmed the cause of death was multiple blunt force traumatic injuries. Medical examiners identified malnutrition and dehydration as other contributing factors in the boy’s death. At the time he died, Kayden weighed 32 pounds.

A news release issued Monday from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office said Gavarrete said could not provide investigators with reasonable explanations for his son’s condition or physical injuries. He told investigators that he had planned to take the child to a doctor for medical treatment but ultimately failed to do so.

Sizemore also admitted to investigators that she did not seek medical help for the boy. She stated she wanted to give Gavarrete the chance to seek assistance himself because the child was not her son. Sizemore further told investigators she did not want to “get into his personal business” regarding the child’s care.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a statement in the release, “In my 20-year career as a prosecutor, this is among the worst cases we have seen. As a father of a child who was the same age as Kayden, it’s gut-wrenching. This resolution ensures both defendants will spend decades in prison and provides certainty for Kayden’s family.”

Previous coverage

Headlines

• FLURRIES OVERNIGHT & MONDAY
• GUSTS TO 30 MPH ON MONDAY
• UP & DOWN TEMPS THIS WEEK

Temperatures for our Monday will struggle to warm throughout the day with many area staying below the freezing mark. We’ll see some peeks of sunshine but not looking at too much sunshine throughout the day. Don’t be surprised if you see a few flurries but we aren’t expected a lot in the way of accumulation. It remains windy as well with some gusts to 30 mph.

Temperatures will be up and down all week. After the chilly start to the week it turn more seasonable later in the week with even a few 50s.

wrtv

Advertisement

As for storms, flurries will be possible Monday and then a light wintry mix will be possible Wednesday night into Thursday. Any wintry related precipitation would melt by the afternoon with temperatures on Thursday in the 40s.

Indianapolis Weather Forecast:
Overnight: Cloudy – Flurries Low: 21°
Monday: Mostly cloudy – Flurries High: 31°
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy – Warmer. High: 43°
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High: 50°

Indianapolis 7-Day Weather Forecast

wrtv

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Indians has partnered with GANGGANG, an agency centered around equity and culture, to honor the history of Negro Leagues and Black baseball in Indianapolis.

The partnership includes revitalized imagery for representing the original Indianapolis Clowns and
Indianapolis ABCs – two historic Negro Leagues franchises in the Circle City. They’ll focus on educational tools and community outreach opportunities through five core principles: respectful representation, cultural education, authenticity through collaboration, understanding and empathy, and empowering impact.

Redesigned on-field hats, jerseys, and merchandise honoring the original franchises of both the ABCs and
Clowns will be launched in May in conjunction with a three-part web series highlighting Negro Leagues
history, current activations and outreach, and GANGGANG’s visual creation process.

“This is an effort to not only celebrate history but also protect history and heritage. It represents a very
important part of Indianapolis history,” said Alan Bacon, co-founder of GANGGANG. “There wouldn’t be
this evolution of baseball if it weren’t for these original creators that we get to celebrate and talk about.”

During Negro Leagues Heritage Weekend on Friday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Aug. 22, the Indians will suit
up as the ABCs, with the opportunity for fans to bid on game-worn jerseys to benefit Indianapolis Indians Charities.

Throughout the weekend, fans will have the opportunity to experience Negro Leagues educational opportunities and activations from local Black artists.

Fans are encouraged to submit their personal stories from playing baseball growing up, attending games at Bush Stadium or Victory Field, and any personal connections to the Indians, Clowns or ABCs, to baseball in Indiana here.