Coroner rules death was accidental; also, Ivy Tech to hold expungement and resource fair
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On Saturday, August 15, 2026, at approximately 6:41 a.m., the Howard County Coroner was dispatched to 705 W. Monroe Street, Kokomo, regarding a death investigation. The decedent was identified as Opal Jade Sisk, a 6-week-old infant female.
On Monday, August 17, 2026, an autopsy was performed by a forensic pathologist at the Howard County Coroner’s Office. As a result of the death investigation by the Kokomo Police Department and the Howard County Coroner’s Office, the cause of death has been determined to be positional asphyxia with probable overlay. The manner of death is accidental.
On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, the Howard County Prosecutor’s Office charged Keira Dunson, 18, of Kokomo, with three counts relating to the infant death investigation conducted by the Kokomo Police Department. Following a review of that investigation, Ms. Dunson was charged with the following:
- Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death, a Level 1 Felony
- Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, a Level 3 Felony
- Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Bodily Injury, a Level 5 Felony
The sentencing range for Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death carries a sentence of 20 to 40 years. An arrest warrant was issued, and a hearing will be set upon service of the warrant. Dunson was taken into custody at the Howard County Criminal Justice Center shortly after the warrant was issued.
Please be advised that this release and the charges filed against this defendant are merely accusations and that she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Ivy Tech holds expungement, resource fair
Ivy Tech Community College has set a community expungement and resource fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Kokomo Campus at 1815 E. Morgan St.
The program is designed to help community members and students learn more about clearing eligible criminal records and remove barriers that may affect employment, housing, education and other opportunities, according to Mary Applegate, chair of the Human Services program for Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area. Local attorneys will provide legal guidance to help participants understand the expungement process.
Applegate said the event will include free legal information from Indiana Legal Services Inc. and screening to determine if applicants qualify to have their records cleared of convictions, arrests without a conviction and dismissed charges.
In Indiana, the process of expungement seals certain criminal records from public view, but eligibility and waiting periods depend on the offense type and severity. According to Indiana Legal Services, three main requirements must be met before filing for an expungement: no pending criminal charges; all court costs, fines, fees, and restitution have been paid; and all relevant waiting periods have been met.
The Sept. 26 event is open to people who qualify as low income and only covers Indiana cases. Those interested should bring their criminal records, which can be printed at mycase.in.gov.
Volunteers from Ivy Tech and other community organizations will be on hand to share information about resources they offer. The event is presented by 4C Health, Family Services Association, Indiana Legal Services, Restored Life Continuum of Care and Ivy Tech.
For additional information, contact Mary Applegate at mapplegate14@ivytech.edu or 765-252-5505.