mother charged with reckless homicide after co-sleeping with infant causes death

A mother faces charges of reckless homicide after her child tragically died in her bed while she fell asleep while breastfeeding in October 2023, echoing a similar incident involving another of her children in 2020.

According to court documents, Aaliyah Lykins of Muncie, Indiana, is charged with one count of reckless homicide, classified as a Level 5 felony, and one count of neglect of a dependent, classified as a Level 6 felony, in relation to the incident.

This isn't the first time such a tragedy has struck Lykins. Court records reveal that her child was pronounced dead on Oct. 30, 2020, while co-sleeping with her. Lykins admitted to authorities at the time that she recognized the risk of placing the child in bed with her and acknowledged it was a mistake.

Despite investigators preparing a probable cause affidavit, Lykins was not charged in connection with the 2020 case.