In-home Childcare Provider Arrested for Felony Battery and Neglect

Operating an unlicensed daycare

Scott County – Friday, June 7, 2024:  Indiana State Police (ISP) Troopers arrested an Austin, Indiana childcare provider Friday evening after an ISP investigation involving an injured 8-month-old child.

ISP Detective Travis Baker began the investigation on May 30^th of this year when he met with the child’s mother and father at Norton’s Children’s Hospital in Louisville.  Detective Baker learned the mother initially rushed the child to the Scott Memorial Hospital after finding a wound on the back of the child’s head when she picked the infant up from Lauren Salyers, who was providing childcare.  During his investigation, Detective Baker also learned that 26-year-old Lauren R. Salyers provided unlicensed, private daycare from her Austin, Indiana residence.  After arriving at the hospital, a medical helicopter transported the infant to Norton’s Children’s Hospital in Louisville.  Norton’s pediatric doctors treated the child for a skull fracture as well as a fractured left arm. 

Detective Baker continued his investigation which included interviews with Lauren Salyer and others who had contact with the child in the preceding hours.  At the conclusion of his investigation, Detective Baker supplied all information to the Scott County Prosecutor for review and requested an arrest warrant for Salyers. 

On Friday, June 7, 2024, the Scott County Circuit court issued an arrest warrant for Lauren R. Salyers for one count of Battery, and one count of Neglect of a Dependent.  Each charge is a level 3 felony. 

Salyers was arrested by troopers at her Austin residence on Friday afternoon and transported to the Scott County Jail without incident.