An Indiana man is facing murder charges after authorities say he fatally abused his 5-year-old daughter, later blaming his ex-girlfriend for allegedly “driving him” to commit the act. Zachary Arnold, 41, initially told 911 dispatchers that his daughter, Zara Arnold, had fallen down the stairs at their east Indianapolis home. But according to court documents and police reports, Arnold later confessed to strangling the child during a heated argument related to his former partner.
“She drove him to do this,” Arnold allegedly told investigators, as documented in court filings obtained by WTHR and WISH-TV. Arnold reportedly admitted to choking Zara multiple times the night before her death. He told police that after one such incident, Zara looked up at him and asked why he was hurting her, telling him she loved him.
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“After he stopped choking her the last time that night, Zara told him she was tired and climbed into bed,” Arnold allegedly said. Instead of seeking help, Arnold went to bed, according to his statement. By Monday morning, authorities say Arnold sent disturbing messages to his ex-girlfriend, including photos of Zara “foaming at the mouth” and what police describe as threatening texts.
Zara’s grandmother, O’Tonya Glasco, spoke to WXIN about her heartbreak, revealing that she had long been concerned for her granddaughter’s safety. “I’m mad,” she said. “I’m very disappointed because my granddaughter should be here.” Glasco and other family members told investigators that Arnold had a history of drug abuse and had used methamphetamine in front of Zara.
He allegedly deprived her of food and physically assaulted her, including hitting her with open hands. Documents obtained by WTHR indicate that multiple reports were made to the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) concerning Arnold’s treatment of his daughter. One such report came from Zara’s mother, who said she discovered bruises and handprints on the child’s back.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department responded to Arnold’s 911 call around 11 a.m. Monday. When officers arrived, Zara was pronounced dead at the scene, with visible trauma to her body. IMPD Chief Chris Bailey expressed his devastation in a public statement. “I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of 5-year-old Zara,” he wrote. “No child should suffer such harm, especially in a place that should be safe: their home.”
Arnold allegedly attacked Zara during an argument in which he accused her of breaking his rules. His ex-girlfriend later told police he had said he was going to kill the child before admitting that he had instead “hurt” her. A spokesperson for DCS called the situation “tragic” and added, “We are also thinking of the first responders and DCS team members who initially arrived at the scene. As with any child fatality, we continue to partner with law enforcement.”
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