Ascension St. Vincent, members of the Greentown Fire Department, and deputies from the Howard County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence in the 7000 block of East 50 North, Greentown, on the report of an unresponsive two-month-old infant (later determined to be less than one month old). Deputies arrived to find the infant already being treated by emergency medical personnel. The child was subsequently transported to Community Howard Regional Hospital. Despite life-saving efforts, the child, identified as Lucas Bieghler, was pronounced deceased by attending medical staff. Deputies secured the residence, and detectives from the Sheriff’s Office assisted by conducting
interviews, collecting evidence, and coordinating with the coroner and Department of Child Services, while also obtaining a search warrant for the residence to recover items of evidentiary value.
During the course of the investigation, detectives additionally conducted interviews with multiple witnesses and family members. Based on the evidence collected, the accounts provided were determined to be inconsistent with the injuries observed on the infant.
As a result, deputies arrested the child’s father, Alexander Bieghler, age 18, on the preliminary charge of Aggravated Battery Resulting in Death, a Level 1 Felony. He was transported to the Howard County Jail, where he remains in custody with no bond.
The case remains active and under investigation by Detective Ernie Shirey (#34-49). Anyone with
additional information is encouraged to contact him directly at 765-614-3449, or by submitting a tip
through the Sheriff’s Office mobile app or at www.sheriff.howardcountyin.gov. An autopsy will be
performed under the direction of the Howard County Coroner on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
The Sheriff’s Office was additionally assisted on scene by the Greentown Police Department, Indiana
Department of Natural Resources, Department of Child Services, Howard County Coroner’s Office,
and the Howard County Emergency Management Agency.
The Howard County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that the filing of the information is merely an
allegation, and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.