A 37-year-old woman was arrested late Sunday after police say she tried to kill a 1-year-old by sitting on the toddler’s face inside an east-side home, then told investigators she wanted to “sacrifice” the child. The incident began about 10:30 p.m. Jan. 18 in the 3500 block of Baltimore Avenue, Indianapolis police said.
Investigators identified the suspect as Kendra Lee Proctor. She was booked into the Marion County Jail on preliminary counts of attempted murder and child molesting. Police said an adult witness pulled Proctor off the child and called 911. Medics examined the toddler at the scene and reported no physical injuries. Detectives are reviewing interviews and a recorded statement from Proctor as prosecutors prepare charging documents. Authorities said there is no broader threat tied to the case, which unfolded after a quiet evening turned chaotic and drew multiple patrol units to the residential block east of downtown.
Officers were dispatched around 10:30 p.m. after a report of a possible child molestation. When police arrived, they found Proctor, an adult witness, a juvenile witness and the 1-year-old inside the home. According to an initial report, the adult told officers she entered a room and saw Proctor seated on the toddler’s face while unclothed below the waist. The adult said the child was “screaming bloody murder” and that she struck Proctor to stop it before calling for help. “Our patrol responded quickly and secured the scene while medics checked the child,” a police spokesperson said. Proctor was detained without incident and transported for questioning.
In an interview at headquarters, detectives said Proctor admitted she tried to suffocate and kill the child. She allegedly said she believed doing so would lead the adult witness to kill her. Investigators wrote that Proctor could not explain her reasoning in a coherent way and referenced wanting to “sacrifice” the 1-year-old. The adult witness also told detectives that Proctor had talked about sacrifice and acted strangely after the pair watched a religious-themed movie earlier in the evening. Police noted those comments in their affidavit and said they were looking into Proctor’s recent behavior and possible mental health history. The child was released to family after the medical check.
Records show Proctor was booked into the Marion County Jail shortly after her interview and was being held without bond as of Wednesday morning. Detectives collected clothing, bedding and other items from the room for forensic review and photographed the area where the adult witness said she intervened. Officers also documented statements from a juvenile witness elsewhere in the home. Investigators said they were reviewing prior calls for service to the address, but none appeared tied to similar allegations. The department’s crimes against children and violent crimes units are coordinating on the case.
The home sits on a narrow block of Baltimore Avenue lined with single-story houses and small yards. Neighbors said police cars and an ambulance arrived within minutes, with blue lights reflecting off front porches. One resident said she saw an officer carry a crying child toward medics. Another neighbor described hearing “shouting and footsteps, then the sirens.” By midnight, detectives had placed evidence markers inside and taped off the walkway as family members gathered across the street. The block reopened before dawn, though officers returned later to finish interviews.
Child-protection advocates say investigators typically move fast in cases involving infants and toddlers, coordinating with hospitals and the county prosecutor. In this case, authorities said the preliminary review found no visible injuries, but a full screening remains standard. Indianapolis police said they would provide the incident report and body-worn camera video after required redactions. The department also flagged Proctor’s statements about self-harm as a concern and said jail medical staff had been notified. Officials emphasized that the affidavit describes allegations and that formal charges will be set by prosecutors after review.
Detectives are compiling a detailed timeline from the moment the movie ended to the 911 call, including when each person entered and left the room, and whether any devices captured video or audio. If prosecutors file attempted murder and child molesting counts, the case would proceed to an initial hearing where a judge could address bond and appoint counsel. Any competency questions would follow standard procedure and be handled by the court. Police said additional laboratory testing, including trace and DNA analysis on collected items, could take weeks.
As word of the arrest spread, a few neighbors placed stuffed animals on a front step. “I’m just thankful the baby is okay,” said a woman who lives two doors down. A relative who arrived after midnight declined to comment. By Thursday afternoon, the porch was clear and the home quiet. The police department said more information would be released when the prosecutor decides on charges and as documents become public in court filings.
As of Friday, Proctor remained in the Marion County Jail pending a charging decision. The next expected update is the filing of formal charges and a first court appearance, which could come early next week if paperwork is completed and calendared.
Author note: Last updated January 23, 2026.