Guardian charged with murder in 12-year-old girl’s death

ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) – A central Indiana prosecutor says evidence shows a 12-year-old girl wasn’t killed by being run over by a riding lawnmower last fall as her guardian claimed.

The Madison County prosecutor filed murder charges Wednesday against 45-year-old Denell Roberts of Anderson.

Roberts had faced child neglect charges after telling police she ran over the girl Oct. 27 while pulling out bushes but not seeking medical help for her until the next day. The girl died at an Indianapolis hospital three weeks later.

Prosecutor Rodney Cummings tells The (Anderson) Herald Bulletin that an autopsy founds signs of prior physical abuse and ruled the girl died from head injuries.

Defense attorney Bryan Williams says he and Roberts were blindsided by the murder charges and that she’s not guilty of wrongdoing.