IN - Zara Arnold, 5, father & ex-girlfriend charged with Murder, Indianapolis, 19 May 2025

[imstilla.grandma]

On Monday, Zara Arnold was located inside a home on the 200 block of N Lasalle Street and was pronounced dead. After initially claiming that she fell down the stairs, Zachary Arnold reportedly confessed to choking his daughter.

According to previous reports, Zachary Arnold reportedly abused his daughter multiple times over the last few years. Zachary Arnold had a history of allegations of child abuse, child molestation, violating no contact orders and raping the victim’s mother.

The court documents allege that Lopez-Figueroa concealed evidence and did not call 911 for help “with the intent to hinder the apprehension or punishment of Zachary Arnold” as he committed the crime.

https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/father-ex-girlfriend-charged-in-relation-to-death-of-5-year-old/

 

[tlcya]

Before she drew her last breath, 5-year-old Zara Arnold asked her father why he hurt her.

“After he stopped choking her the last time that night, Zara told him she was tired and climbed into bed,” her father told investigators, according to a probable cause affidavit for his arrest.
[snip]
On May 12, the day after the failed welfare check, Zara's father appeared in court. He pleaded guilty to one felony count of invasion of privacy after showing up at a custody exchange between his girlfriend and her ex-husband, who had a protective order against him.

He was sentenced to 360 days in jail with all 360 days suspended.
https://www.indystar.com/story/news...ara-arnold-abuse-neglect-custody/83722310007/

six days after his sentence was suspended Zara was dead. Six days. Why? What was the judge thinking? Had he served even SOME of that 360 sentence that baby would still be alive.

 

[tlcya]

The Indy Star and News8, citing court documents, report that Arnold sent his girlfriend "photos of Zara foaming at the mouth," "called her on FaceTime while choking the girl" and "said to call 911 because he was going to hurt the little girl."
Cops Say He Strangled His Daughter to Death — and Girlfriend Witnessed Something Awful the Day Prior: Reports

24 hours later Zara was dead