Mother Arrested in Connection with Toddler’s Death

The mother of a Plymouth toddler whose death has been ruled a homicide now faces charges in connection with her death.

Plymouth Police arrested Kristi Lavanway yesterday on a neglect charge. Her 2-year-old daughter, Serenity Wilson, was unconscious when Lavanway brought her to the hospital in Plymouth around 2:30 p.m. Friday. Police were called to the hospital and say Serenity’s injury occurred earlier in the day. She was airlifted to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, where she died Saturday night. A spokeswoman for the Allen County Coroner’s office says her cause of death was blunt force trauma.

Lavanway’s boyfriend, 20-year-old Shane Weeding was arrested on neglect of a dependent and possession of marijuana charges. Marshall County Prosecutor Nelson Chipman says the matter remains under investigation and an announcement of additional charges will be made during a Wednesday news conference.