The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department recently obtained several complaints from various sources of seven children, between the ages of 4 and 12 not being supervised, not being cared for, and some of the children not attending school.

Following an investigation over several weeks, a report was forwarded to the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office and Department of Child Services of the allegations, attendance records, and statements. The Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office then filed for and was issued an arrest warrant for Heather Havens and Kayla Hiler.

On Thursday, May 11, Detectives from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department went to a residence in Koontz Lake and arrested 46-year-old Heather Havens.

A Detective and staff with the Department of Child Services went to a residence located in the 2,000 block of Plymouth-LaPorte Trail and arrested 29-year-old Kayla Hiler.

Both Heather Havens and Kayla Hiler were transported and booked into the Marshall County Jail.

The children were removed for their safety and well-being by the Department of Child Services.

Criminal charges for Heather Havens are 3 counts of Neglect of a Dependent, Deprives Dependent of education as required by law as a Level 6 Felony.

Criminal charges for Kayla Hiler are 4 counts of Neglect of a Dependent, Placing the Dependent in a Situation that Endangers them as a Level 6 Felony, 2 counts of Neglect of a Dependent, and Depriving the Dependent of education as required by law as a Level 6 Felony.

Heather Havens and Kayla Hiler are each being held in the Marshall County Jail on $5,000 cash bonds.

Agencies involved in this investigation were the Starke County Sheriff’s Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Department of Child Services.  

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.