Neighbors were stunned when police arrested 59‑year‑old Darlene Wills after responding to a child abuse call Sunday. Officers were told three children had just been picked up from her care, and one showed them video evidence: it allegedly shows Wills grabbing a child by the neck and shoving him into a bed while screaming “Am I scared?” over and over.
Children from her home told police she physically abused one child and that another had visible injuries. The videos reportedly showed he was punched in the face and scratched around the neck—enough for officers to treat it as a serious abuse case.
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When authorities questioned Wills, she denied harming the children—but eventually admitted she had “to put her hands on him because he lunged at her.” She also acknowledged scratching the child’s neck while pushing him down on the bed.
Now, Wills is facing multiple charges: strangulation, battery more than once, battery in the presence of a child under 16, and neglect of a dependent. She was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail without bond.
This unsettling case highlights how quickly a day can go wrong. The family called the police after picking up their kids and seeing what was on one of the videos. Officers say the footage showed Wills gripping one child’s neck, slamming him onto a bed, and yelling repeatedly. The child told authorities that Wills punched him in the face and left scratch marks bubbling on his neck.
One child even told investigators they were too afraid to intervene themselves.
Although Wills denied the abuse, surveillance strongly contradicted that. She admitted using her hands to move the child only to “restrain” him after he “lunged,” then let slip that she knew she’d scratched him while doing so.
Under Indiana law, charges like strangulation and battery in the presence of a minor are serious felonies. By bringing in video evidence and firsthand accounts from children, police felt there was little uncertainty in pursuing these charges.
Wills remains in custody, held without bond as her case unfolds in court. The community is left grappling. It’s a stark reminder that caregivers—even family members—can be accused when the safety of vulnerable children is called into question.
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For families and guardians, this raises tough but essential conversations about elder caregivers, supervision, and vigilance. Wills’ case puts a human, heartbreaking face on one of the darkest sides of looking after children in crisis, especially when disability is involved.
We’ll keep watching for updates as court documents, interviews, and more video evidence surface. At its heart, this is a teen survivor’s video that sparked an investigation and led to charges against a grandparent, reminding all of us how critical reporting abuse can be, even when it comes from the most unexpected places.