CHARGES FILED AFTER INFANT DEATH IN GARY
On December 23, 2023, Detectives with the Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force secured murder and neglect resulting in death charges against Gerard Dante Coger, 21 of Gary, and neglect resulting in death charges against Janaya Kimberly Hobson, 19 of Gary, according to Gary Police.
An investigation was initiated after doctors became aware of suspicious head trauma to Coger and Hobson’s one month old that passed away on December 18. It was determined that the one month old died from blunt force trauma that occurred at some point in December. A medical professional concluded that the one month old had injuries from forceful shaking, also known as “shaken baby syndrome” and a form of blunt force trauma. During interviews, Coger admitted to shaking the one month old as she was crying, and both Coger and Hobson admitted to noticing deteriorating health conditions of their infant over the week of December 11th before seeking treatment. Hobson admitted that when the one month old’s condition was obviously perilous, they chose to travel by foot to the hospital and to not call 911 in an attempt to avoid any police or fire department questioning. Coger and Hobson were reported to have smelled of marijuana at the hospital and to have been non-emotional at the situation.
Coger faces up to sixty-five years in prison if convicted. Hobson faces up to forty years in prison if convicted.
The Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force consists of detectives with the Gary Police Department, Indiana State Police, Indiana State Excise Police, and the East Chicago Police Department.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation should contact Detective James Nielsen at 219-755-3855
