How Could You? Hall of Shame-Nova Bryant case Child Death

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Brazil, Indiana, Nova Bryant, 21 months old, drowned alone in a bathtub .” Foster mother Hailynn Volpatti “told police she left Nova in the tub with her two 4-year-old sons to get a drink. “

“Volpatti allegedly told police that when she came back, Nova was floating on her back with her nose barely above the water. 

“Hailynn told Officer Young that Nova always puts her face down into the bathwater and takes a huge ‘gulp’ of water,” the probable cause affidavit says. 

The officer performed CPR on Nova until he found a “faint pulse.” She was taken to a hospital in Terre Haute, then to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis, where she died on June 16 [2024].

According to the court documents, Nova had been born 32 weeks premature and had several health problems including developmental delays and many digestive and eating issues. 

“Nova’s past medical history included chronic feeding disorder, emesis, gastrostomy tube dependent, global developmental delay, history of gastroschisis, history of prematurity, moderate malnutrition, motility disorder of intestine, oropharyngeal dysphagia, short stature and spinal asymmetry,” according to court documents. 

Police say Volpatti came to them two days after Nova drowned. The officer had requested her friend, but says Volpatti showed up instead. 

According to court documents, Volpatti admitted to not being completely honest the night the drowning happened. 

Volpatti allegedly said she was on the phone with a friend when she put the kids in the tub. She said she went upstairs “at some point” to get pajamas for Nova. Volpatti said she stayed upstairs for about five minutes until she heard her son yell for her. According to police, Volpatti said she then ran downstairs to find Nova. 

Police say Volpatti then changed her story to say she had been upstairs for 15 to 20 minutes while the children were in the tub. Eventually, police say Volpatti admitted it was at least 30 minutes that she left the children alone in the tub. 

Police say when they interviewed Volpatti’s friend, she confirmed the children had been left alone for 30 minutes. “

Indiana 1-year-old drowned after allegedly being left alone in tub for 30 minutes; mother charged

[WTHR 10/24/24 by Mike Potter]

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