Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
EVANSVILLE – Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers announced that on July 31, a jury found Taylor Alexis Smith guilty as charged for the death of her infant son Wade Wilson.
Smith was charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 Felony; possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 Felony; unlawful possession of syringe, a Level 6 Felony; and possession of paraphernalia; a Class C Misdemeanor. The Honorable Magistrate Judge Celia M. Pauli of the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court presided.
On June 8, 2022, Officers were dispatched to 27 W. Oregon Street in reference to an unresponsive infant. The American Medical Response and Evansville Fire Department made several attempts to resuscitate the infant, but the 13-day-old baby was declared dead at the scene.
Officers noticed the home was extremely unsanitary, lacking running water and appropriate sleeping space for the infant. Upon receiving a warrant, a search of the home uncovered the presence of methamphetamine and syringes.
Smith, appeared to be under the influence during her interaction with the responding Officers and later disclosed recent methamphetamine use, according to a news release from the Vanderburgh County prosecutor’s office. Smith admitted to sleeping with her baby and said she woke up with the unresponsive infant underneath her.
Infant Wade Wilson was born on May 27, 2022, and tested positive on drug screens for methamphetamine at birth, according to the news release. The Department of Child Services and Vanderburgh County Juvenile Court ordered Smith not to have contact with her son. The news release says that Smith continued to have contact with Wade Wilson and actively used methamphetamine.
The state presented testimony from the American Medical Response, Indiana State Police, Deaconess, and Department of Child Services, as well as photographs of the home showing the unsanitary and unsafe conditions, an abundance of methamphetamine and paraphernalia found at the scene, and police body camera footage.
“The death of an infant shakes us all,” Moers said. “This defendant is an addict who refused to follow strict no contact orders for her son—who tested positive for drugs the day he was born. The defendant gaining access to her son and co-sleeping with him while high led to the child’s death. We will never forget this innocent baby and will pray that his memory encourages others to seek help and assist those in need.”
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 22 in front of the Honorable Magistrate Judge Celia M. Pauli of the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court. The defendant could face up to 40 years.
The infant’s father, Timothy Allen Wilson, is also charged with a series of crimes in connection with this case and is awaiting trial in October.
“We should never have to prosecute another one of these cases,” Moers said. “If you or someone you know are an addict and in need of help, you must reach out. The life of an innocent child could have been saved in this case. Our community has a plethora of resources for those struggling with addiction to get the assistance they need. To find a comprehensive list, you can start by Googling the Indiana Substance Abuse Council or talk with your local hospital, law enforcement, shelter or other medical facility.”
Please enable JavaScript to view this content.