Greenfield, Indiana — A 20-year-old Greenfield father has been arrested after police found his toddler wandering alone outside in freezing temperatures wearing only a diaper, an incident that left the child suffering from hypothermia, according to court records and police statements.
Incident Overview
Officers with the Greenfield Police Department were called to the Prairie Meadows apartment complex near U.S. 40 and North Windswept Road around 3 p.m. on Monday, December 15, after residents reported a small child crying and walking outdoors in the cold with no clothing or shoes.
Police located the toddler and immediately placed the child in a warm patrol vehicle. Officers said the child was stable before being transported to an Indianapolis hospital for further medical treatment.
Witness Account Draws Attention
The child was first noticed by a nearby resident, Mary Mayfield, who said the sound of crying stopped her as she was unlocking her sister’s car.
“I heard the baby crying,” Mayfield said. “I wasn’t quite sure where it was coming from, so I stepped out a little bit more. And as I stepped out, the crying got louder.”
Moments later, she saw the toddler standing alone.
“I saw him. No pants, no shoes — just a diaper.”
Mayfield immediately asked a neighbor to call 911, expressing concern over the freezing conditions.
“If I can’t feel my fingers or my toes, I know that baby can’t either,” she said. “That baby should have never been out there without clothes.”
Police Investigation and Discovery
Officers followed footprints in the snow around the apartment complex, which police said showed the child had been walking outside for some time. The tracks led them to an apartment on Switch Grass Drive where the front door was open.
After announcing themselves and receiving no response, officers entered the apartment and found Logan Nickolas asleep on a couch. Police said Nickolas confirmed the toddler was his child and belonged at the residence.
Inside the apartment, officers reported observing suspected illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia in plain view, according to the department.
Nickolas was arrested at the scene and transported to the Hancock County Jail, where records show he remained in custody as of Tuesday evening.
Charges and Court Proceedings
The Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Nickolas with two counts of neglect of a dependent. His bond has been set at $30,000 cash.
Prosecutor Brent Eaton emphasized the seriousness of the case and credited fast action for preventing further harm.
“Any crime involving a child is a very high priority for our office,” Eaton said. “We put a lot of resources into our partnership with Zoe’s Place Child Advocacy Center and law enforcement to ensure we do everything we can to keep children in Hancock County safe.”
According to court records, Nickolas made his initial court appearance on December 16. A pretrial conference is scheduled for early February 2026, with a jury trial currently set for June.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Concern
The incident has left a strong emotional impact on those who helped the child. Mayfield said she continues to think about the toddler and hopes to see him again.
“All I want is to see that baby one more time and hold him,” she said. “That’s the only way I can stop shaking on the inside.”
Authorities have not released additional details about the child’s current condition or long-term placement as the investigation continues.
Safety Reminder for Cold Weather
Police and child safety advocates stress that cold exposure can become life-threatening for infants and toddlers within minutes, especially when temperatures drop below freezing. Residents are urged to report unattended children immediately and to check on neighbors during extreme weather conditions.
The case remains under investigation.
Share your thoughts or experiences related to child safety during extreme weather in the comments below.
