Muncie Dad, Jacob Vera, Pleads Guilty in Connection With the Death of His Own 3-Month-Old Daughter

Nearly two years after a 3-month-old girl was found unresponsive in a baby swing at an Indiana motel, her father has admitted to abandoning her and her sister alone so he could leave the state, a decision that preceded the infant's death and sparked a criminal investigation.

Jacob Vera pleaded guilty on November 6, 2025, to neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury in connection with the 2023 death of his 3-month-old daughter, Isabella, from suffocation. He is set to be sentenced on December 1.

The Tragic 2023 Incident that Claimed a Baby's Life

The case dates back to March 25, 2023, when officers with the Muncie Police Department responded to a call at the Bestway Inn around 8:30 p.m.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by People, Jessica Brown, Isabella's mother, returned home from work and found one of her daughters, Annalise, standing in a mobile crib crying. Her youngest was found swaddled in a blanket and sitting in a baby swing.

Initially, Brown didn't see anything urgent with the situation. She picked up Annalise and set her on the bed. She then rushed to the bathroom.

It was only after she left the bathroom that she realized something was wrong with Isabella – she was a different color, and she was no longer breathing. The baby's cause of death was listed as asphyxiation.

The distressed mother ran to a nearby room for someone to call for help. She had no other means to contact authorities, as Vera had left with their only phone.

The Investigation that Followed

Brown does not believe Isabella's death was accidental. Vera was supposed to be watching Isabella and then-16-month-old daughter Annalise, while Brown worked. The family had been living at the motel for about 10 months.

Security footage showed Vera leaving the motel two hours before Brown arrived home. Investigators later learned he paid someone gas money to travel to Illinois. He eventually ended up in Peoria.

Vera told authorities he left town to avoid conflict with Brown. "If I'm guilty of anything, it's the leaving," he reportedly said. He added that he did not want any drama, which is why he left the children unattended.

The father, who later spoke to investigators, admitted that he left both children alone in the room but claimed he did not believe anything serious would happen.

He said Isabella was swaddled in a blanket and asleep in a baby swing when he left. He also told police he placed another blanket on top of her before leaving.

During the investigation, the couple's other daughter was placed in the care of Child Protective Services. "Everything got taken from me within less than 24 hours," she said, her voice breaking from trying to stop her tears.

Vera now awaits sentencing, which could bring significant prison time under Indiana law.