A 32-year-old man named Ricky Larkin from Indiana has been arrested for allegedly killing his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son, Je’Loni Smith. He is facing a murder charge in connection with the boy’s death.
On November 4, 2024, around 5:30 p.m., the police received a call from the Gary Fire Department about a child in a home who wasn’t breathing. When officers arrived at the house on Arthur Street, they found Je’Loni unresponsive and appearing lifeless. Larkin, who was at the home, claimed he was the child’s father and said he had found the boy not breathing after he was in the bathtub. He stated that he tried to perform CPR but could not revive him.
Emergency medical personnel took Je’Loni to Methodist Northlake Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Observers noted swelling on the child’s body, which raised suspicions. The police then contacted homicide investigators and the coroner’s office to look into the situation.
The next day, an autopsy revealed that Je’Loni’s death was a homicide caused by blunt force trauma, and there were no signs of drowning.
Investigators became suspicious of Larkin’s story since Je’Loni was not wet when found. They also discovered a metal bat placed near the bed in the messy home. Larkin was babysitting Je’Loni because the boy’s mother was in the hospital after a drug overdose, but she had only let Larkin watch her son reluctantly due to his violent and drug-related history.
On the day Je’Loni died, Larkin reportedly called the boy’s mother to pick up the children, saying he had things to do. He claimed he was giving Je’Loni a bath and that a friend of the mother was coming to get him, which is when the incident occurred.
When asked if he used violence to discipline the kids, Larkin initially denied it, suggesting any bruises on Je’Loni were from slipping in the tub. However, after further questioning, he admitted that the injuries could only be due to physical abuse. He also shockingly stated that Je’Loni’s death was “karma” for his past actions and admitted he was high at the time.
Larkin is currently being held in the Lake County Jail without bond.
