According to court documents, an Indiana father who called 911 and reported that his daughter was dead “after falling down the stairs” is now facing murder charges after police found that he had allegedly choked and abused the 5-year-old during a fight with his ex-girlfriend, saying, “She drove him to do this.”
Zachary Arnold, 41, is charged with the Monday morning murder of his daughter Zara Arnold inside his east Indianapolis residence.
Authorities claim that after being contacted by Arnold, they arrived at the house at approximately 11 a.m. and declared Zara dead there. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department claims that the girl’s body showed evidence of trauma.
In an X post on Tuesday, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey expressed his sorrow over the loss of 5-year-old Zara. “I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of 5-year-old Zara. No child should suffer such harm, especially in a place that should be safe: their home.”
In the days before Zara’s death, according to court documents, Arnold was allegedly having arguments with his ex-girlfriend, who told police everything.
According to the documents, he reportedly snapped at Zara about it and told his ex that the girl wasn’t abiding by his rules.
The ex told police about Arnold’s alleged behavior and feelings toward his daughter, saying, “He was going to kill her, but then stated ‘hurt’ her.”
Arnold reportedly acknowledged to police that Zara did not fall down the stairs. He claimed that after choking her, Zara said she loved him and asked him why he had hurt her.
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After the incident, Arnold reportedly acknowledged that he should have checked on her before turning in for the night, but he did not because he was too upset with his ex.
“After he stopped choking her the last time that night, Zara told him she was tired and climbed into bed,” Arnold allegedly told investigators.
According to police, Arnold texted the ex-girlfriend on Monday morning with pictures of Zara “foaming at the mouth” and purported threats to kill her.
According to Zara’s grandmother, who spoke with investigators, Arnold had a history of giving the child no food and using drugs around her. According to reports, he would also hit her with his open palms and mistreat her.
In an interview, the grandmother, O’Tonya Glasco, declared, “I’m mad. I’m very disappointed, because my granddaughter should be here.”
According to documents, the Indiana Department of Child Services received several reports regarding Arnold’s alleged abuse.
One filed by the girl’s mother claimed that Zara’s back had hand marks and bruises, while another accused him of taking methamphetamine in front of her.
A DCS representative stated, “This is a tragic situation. We are also thinking of the first responders and DCS team members who initially arrived at the scene. As with any child fatality, we continue to partner with law enforcement.”
