Foster father who caused baby's 20 bone fractures is headed to prison

Ryan Martin
IndyStar

An Indianapolis foster father who abused a baby girl is headed to prison to serve four years.

Kyle Rice, 27, was given a 12-year sentence with eight years suspended, according to Marion Superior Court records. The sentencing occurred Tuesday. 

The girl was 2 months old on Jan. 31, 2018 when a Riley Hospital for Children pediatrician saw a bruise on the girl's leg, according to court records. The doctor said the girl needed medical attention. 

An X-ray showed the infant suffered at least 20 fractures, according to court documents, and possibly even more. 

Kyle Rice, now 27

In addition to fostering the little girl, Rice and his wife are parents to one biological child and three siblings they fostered and adopted, court records say. Rice stayed at home with the youngest children while the mother worked. 

Rice told Indianapolis Metropolitan Police investigators that he had contorted and squeezed the infant's body because she would not stop crying one day, court records say. Rice said he also squeezed her hands and feet while pushing them toward her chest. 

Prosecutors charged Rice with two Level 3 felonies: battery with serious bodily injury to a person under 14 and neglect of a dependent resulting in serious injury. 

Rice pleaded guilty to the battery charge and prosecutors dropped the neglect charge.

In addition to his prison sentence, Rice is required to serve one year of probation and 26 weeks of counseling. 

IndyStar reporters Holly V. Hays and Marisa Kwiatkowski contributed to this story.

Contact IndyStar reporter Ryan Martin at 317-444-6294 or ryan.martin@indystar.com. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter: @ryanmartin