A Wisconsin woman was criminally charged on Monday, months after her 5-year-old daughter reportedly died as a result of her negligence.
On October 22, 2025, Merrill police officers responding to a call regarding a child drowning in a bathtub found Katelyn Nardi’s daughter unresponsive at the residence. The Merrill Foto News reported that the girl was pronounced dead about an hour later.
Nardi’s fiancé said she was bathing the girl when Nardi left the bathroom for five minutes to get clothing. While he claimed Nardi returned to find the girl lifeless, police said Nardi gave inconsistent information about what happened that day.
According to the Merrill Foto News, Nardi’s daughter had epilepsy and wad prescribed multiple medications. Nardi allegedly told police that she was not given her medication on the day she died, though she gave it to her the night before.
However, an autopsy report stated that Levetiracetam — one of the 5-year-old’s required medications — was not found in her body, suggesting she had not gotten it for several days before she died. Officials noted that abruptly stopping the anti-epilepsy medication can lead to seizures.
Lincoln County assistant prosecutor Jacob Collinsworth described the bathtub Nardi’s daughter died in as “urine-filled” and “dirty,” according to WSAW. Investigators alleged the home was littered with dirty laundry, garbage, and dog feces and urine.
Nardi was accused of calling social services before 911 after finding her unresponsive daughter.
Prosecutors noted that this is Nardi’s second child to die while in her care. Her 5-month-old daughter died in 2023, WSAW reported.
In the latest case, Nardi is charged with first-degree reckless homicide and child neglect resulting in death. Her bond was set at $150,000. WSAW reported that Nardi’s fiancé has not been criminally charged.
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[Feature Photo: Lincoln County police]