Indiana Woman Admits To Mistakenly Stabbing Baby Niece Instead Of Dog

A horrifying incident occurred in Indianapolis where a woman allegedly stabbed a baby at a hotel, mistaking her for a dog who had eaten her chicken sandwich.

Indianapolis Indiana

On Tuesday night, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department received a call about a stabbing at a Days Inn in Castleton. Upon arriving, officers discovered a one-year-old girl with a knife wound on her neck. The police later found the culprit, Sharon Key, the child's 32-year-old aunt, hiding in a nearby bush.

Arrested and Charged

Key was immediately arrested on charges of criminal recklessness for her actions. Police reports suggest that the suspect, in tears, claimed that the stabbing was an accident.

According to court records, Key stated that after the family went to Burger King to get food, they returned to the hotel. However, her chicken sandwich was eaten by her pit bull, which made her furious. In a fit of rage, she chased the dog with a knife around the room, and as the dog leaped onto the bed, Key tried to stab it but accidentally stabbed her niece instead.

Immediately, the child's mother called 911 for assistance. Although the baby's injuries were stitched up, the grandfather, Tracy Griffin, wants the culprit held accountable and penalized for the rest of her life, as his granddaughter will bear scars. "She is an adult and should have been more aware of her surroundings," he lamented, calling for strict legal measures against her.

“It’s stupid, and at the same time, she’s a grown-up,” said Tracy Griffin, the baby’s grandfather. “She should have known that baby was sitting right there. I want the book thrown at her. I want her to be accountable for this. My granddaughter will be scarred for the rest of her life.”

Constantly In Jail

Key has been in and out of jail over 20 times in the past 10 years, as per jail records. She was recently found guilty of stabbing a woman during a brawl at a gas station in 2020, as court records reveal. Key was released from Department of Correction custody in March for that offense.

Her family members claimed that Key had struggled with addiction, mental health issues, and drug and alcohol dependency for years. They wished the city would offer support to those in need rather than simply pushing them through the prison system.

“This city needs to do better,” said Griffin. “All they’re doing is slapping her on the wrist.”

While Key awaits formal charges, the punishment for criminal recklessness, a low-level felony, can be up to 2.5 years in jail.

Get our free mobile app

-