Staff Report

Skianne Marie Kinsey

TIPPECANOE — A Tippecanoe woman was arrested for alleged child neglect and drug use.

Skianne Marie Kinsey, 31, 2957 Center St., Tippecanoe, is charged with two counts of neglect of a dependent, possession of methamphetamine, and maintaining a common nuisance, all level 6 felonies.

On June 10, a Marshall County Sheriff’s Office detective received information from the Division of Child Services concerning allegations of child neglect. The detective received information about four young children who resided in Tippecanoe.

According to court documents, on the aforementioned date, one of the children was found in a yard and another was located in the middle of SR 331. Both children were filthy, and one of them had an extremely soiled diaper. Upon speaking with Kinsey, the children’s guardian, Kinsey said the children were hard to keep track of.

On Aug. 23, a family case manager went to the children’s school to speak with staff. The staff informed the FCM the children said their power was out at their home and they slept in a vehicle on Aug. 22. The school’s nurse said they had several concerns in the past regarding the children’s welfare.

A staff member said one of the children made a comment about knowing where Kinsey keeps drugs and had witnessed Kinsey using drugs before.

Kinsey’s criminal history was also checked. In 2020, Kinsey was found guilty of narcotic drug possession and neglect of a dependent.

On Sept. 12, staff at the school said the children continued to make statements about seeing Kinsey using drugs and knowing how she acts while she is under the influence. They also noted the children had several tardies and unexcused absences in August.

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover investigation where meth was allegedly purchased from David Lee Lowe, who resided with Kinsey and the children. On Sept. 9, Lowe was arrested, and a large amount of meth was recovered from Lowe’s person.

In an interview on Sept. 12, Lowe said he and Kinsey used meth together, but did not use drugs while in the children’s presence. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Kinsey’s home that same day. Kinsey was leaving the home in a vehicle with the children at the time, but was stopped by officers.

The children inside the vehicle were extremely dirty and not properly restrained. Upon searching the vehicle, officers found a purse containing small bags of meth. Kinsey admitted to using meth about an hour prior to officers’ arrival.

Officers also noted Kinsey’s home was very cluttered and dirty, with animal feces being found on the floor and bed. The children were taken to St. Joseph Regional Hospital for examination and treatment.

The total amount of meth seized during Kinsey’s arrest was 3.6 grams.

Kinsey was booked in the Marshall County Jail on Sept. 12.