Ex-Partner Charged in Death of 5-Year-Old Daughter

DISCLAIMER: This article contains descriptions of child abuse and domestic violence. It may not be suitable for all readers.

Zachary Arnold, 41, was arrested Monday after his 5-year-old daughter, Zara Arnold, was found dead at a home in Indianapolis. Police noted that the girl was cold to the touch, had several bruises, and had dried blood on her face and shirt. A coroner determined her cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.

Detectives said that at least seven DCS reports had been made concerning Zara Arnold’s welfare. Two 911 calls from Zara Arnold’s mother also expressed fears that Zachary Arnold had strangled the girl.

Zachary Arnold eventually admitted to strangling the girl at least three times the night before. He discussed abusing the child in other ways, like smacking her with an open palm or holding her down while strangling her. He shifted the blame to his ex-girlfriend, 30-year-old Andrea Lopez-Figueroa, saying she “drove him” to hurt the child.

Lopez-Figueroa told police that she and Zachary Arnold had been fighting the day before Zara Arnold’s death. During the argument, Zachary Arnold told his ex “he was going to kill her, but then stated ‘hurt’ her,” in reference to his daughter.

Lopez-Figueroa also admitted to police that she knew she should have called 911, but didn’t due to her fear of Zachary Arnold. She was charged for assisting a criminal and failure to report Thursday morning.

Zachary Arnold claimed Lopez-Figueroa was still his girlfriend during an initial hearing at 9 a.m. Thursday. When interviewed by police, Lopez-Figueroa said she told him she thought she needed to be single and needed time to think. He reportedly became argumentative and frustrated in response.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said that he anticipates more serious charges to be filed against other people involved in this case, and says “this is certainly not the end of the investigation.”

“For us as prosecutors, these are the most difficult types of cases, because you are dealing with those who can’t stand up for themselves,” Mears added. “What is alleged is that this child had to suffer a great deal before she passed away.”

IMPD Chief Chris Bailey also spoke alongside Mears, remarking that this is a case that tests the limits of humanity.

“Zara endured pain no one should ever know; her suffering was unimaginable. Though we cannot undo the horrors she experiences, we are here to say loudly and clearly that her life mattered, her voice matters, and her story matters.”

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
• National Domestic Violence Hotline en español: 800-799-7233 o texto “START” al 88788
• Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 24-hour hotline available at 800-332-7385
• Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking
• La Plaza Indy
• The Julian Center
• Indiana Child Abuse Hotline: 800-800-5556
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673