Kenneth P.

Cotter

St. Joseph County

St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney
10th Floor County-City Building
227 W. Jefferson Blvd.
South Bend, IN 46601
Prosecutor’s Office

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 15, 2021

Contact: Jessica McBrier

Director, Media Relations
235-9919
__________________________________________________________
CMHU Investigation Update, New Carlisle Death Investigation

St. Joseph County –As previously released, on 3/12/21 around 6:30 p.m., six year old
Grace Ross of New Carlisle was reported missing in the area of Chapman St., New
Carlisle, Indiana. At approximately 8:25 p.m., Grace was located in a wooded area near
Chapman. She was deceased. Due to the circumstances, CMHU was called to the scene to
investigate. An autopsy revealed a preliminary determination of homicide by asphyxiation.
Further test results are pending.

The St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit (CMHU) and the St. Joseph County
Prosecutor’s Office met with Grace Ross’ family earlier today to explain the autopsy
results and the progress of the investigation.

As also previously released, a 14 year old male was arrested and taken into custody in
connection with this investigation. At a detention hearing earlier today, the St. Joseph
County Probate Court made the initial determination to detain the 14 year old, and set a
further hearing date for Monday, March 22, 2021.

Pursuant to statute, the Juvenile Probation Department recently prepared a preliminary

inquiry, which the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office will review this evening. The
law allows a Prosecutor’s Office to file a petition alleging delinquency only after the
preliminary inquiry is prepared and filed.

Please note that the release of information concerning an allegation of delinquency is

strictly controlled by statute. Pursuant to I.C. 31-39-3-2 and I.C. 31-39-2-8, the identity of
the 14 year old and other information may be released only after a petition of delinquency
has been accepted by the Court.