Indiana Woman Pleads Guilty to Abuse Death of Younger Brother

April Wright, 28, of Merrillville, Indiana plead guilty Tuesday to one count of felony neglect resulting in the death of a dependent after months of neglect led to her 10-year-old brother’s 2020 death. Her wife, Rachel Wright, 28, has also been charged with the boy’s murder.

Following a 911 call placed by Rachel Wright on October 12, 2020, officers found the body of Leviticus Kutcha at the Wright’s home in the 7100 Block of Fillmore Court in Merrillville.

Both April and Rachel Wright reportedly told police he was injured while riding a dirt bike. Upon further inspection, the bike was found to have dust and cobwebs on it.

During an evidentiary hearing in 2021, the presentation of gruesome autopsy photos caused a Lake County magistrate to recommend their bail be revoked.

Both women never sought medical care for Leviticus. When he died, he reportedly had facial cuts, puncture wounds, lacerated and swollen lips, ulcers on his genital area, swollen and bruised hands, infected toes, numerous cuts to his back, and puncture wounds to his ears, according to the NWI Times.

As part of Tuesday’s plea agreement, April admitted that she and her wife dislocated two of Leviticus’ cervical vertebrae and his mandible, which ultimately caused his death. She also pled guilty to violating the terms of probation from a past domestic battery charge for which she will serve an additional year.

Rachel Wright pled guilty to one count of felony neglect in October and agreed to testify against April. She will not be sentenced until after April’s case is resolved.