Two Females Charged In Death Of Merrillville Child
On Sunday, October 12, 2020 the Merrillville Police Department was dispatched to the home of Rachel and April Wright in the 7100 Block of Fillmore Court for the report of an unresponsive ten year old child. Upon arrival it was discovered the child, who was the younger brother and under the care of April Wright, was deceased. The home was found to be in deplorable living conditions and a three year old child was also removed from the residence by Child Protective Services.
Investigators conducted several interviews over the course of the following days that revealed the initial reporting details of the death provided by Rachel and April Wright to not be true. Preliminary findings during an autopsy revealed several injuries consistent with a history of ongoing physical abuse to the child.
When investigators attempted to locate Rachel and April Wright to follow up with them concerning details discovered during the investigation they were unable to be located at several addresses known to be associated with them. A search warrant was conducted at the Wright residence by the Merrillville Police Department where the home was found unoccupied. It was later discovered Rachel and April Wright had left the state.
On October 22, 2020 investigators learned Rachel and April Wright had possibly returned to Indiana. Investigators were able to locate them at a family member’s residence in Valparaiso where they were taken into custody.
On October 23, 2020 Detective Matt Vasel presented this case to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. Rachel and April Wright were both charged with Murder, Aggravated Battery, and Child Neglect Resulting in Death. Both are currently in custody at the Lake County Jail.
The Merrillville Police Department was assisted by the FBI GRIT Task Force, Indiana State Police, and the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
