Michigan City couple appears in court on felony neglect charges

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Posted: 4:22 PM Nov 13, 2008
Last Updated: 4:22 PM Nov 13, 2008

17 comments

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A Michigan City couple, charged in the death of their daughter, appeared in court Thursday.

Melissa and Scott Bruce face felony neglect charges, which could mean up to 90 years in prison.

Four-year-old Savannah Pioch was found dead in her home back in September.

Prosecutors say Pioch was beaten, tied up, and left in a sleeping bag upstairs.

An autopsy showed Savannah died of a neck injury.

The coroner also found other cuts and bruises that revealed a history of physical abuse.

The couple is being held responsible for the death by not seeking medical care for Savannah after she was allegedly beaten.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: eViLvOiCeInSiDe Location: YoUrHeAd on Nov 17, 2008 at 10:34 AM
I wonder where this woman is, if the punishment america desires to give he ris letting her off scot free, ill gladly give her the punishment she deserves. Im going on a hunt tonight

Posted by: BK Location: SB on Nov 14, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Neglect?? What about MURDER? and why is the mother out on bond? They will get theirs, whether it be here on earth, or the alternative...where it is VERY HOT!!

Posted by: Linda Location: Granger on Nov 14, 2008 at 12:21 PM
What a beautiful little girl. How sad that she had to die at the hands of her own parents. These people should be beaten to the point of internal injuries and broken bones then shoved in a closet that's pad locked, never to be let out again. Wonder how they'd like it? What monsters.

Posted by: gls Location: everywhere on Nov 14, 2008 at 12:20 PM
FIRST OFF.. RIP YOUNG GIRL!! SECOND!! I know you all want to see them parents in jail, which they should be and will happen. But some of you say prison ppl love new meat and hate baby kilers. Well take it from me a ex-prison VISITOR (never consider excon, i learn the first time) but you all hear TV stories bout baby killers getting hurt. they dont. they are very well protected by gaurds and other inmates there. TRUST me i know. but like you all i would like to see them spend 90 yrs there not 45 at the most they will have to spend IF giving maxed. tell you right now, dont be shocked if they get 10 maybe 15 yrs time. means in the states eyes they do 5 to 7.5 yrs.. just pray for the best and think bout the child and others out there.

Posted by: a mom Location: USA on Nov 14, 2008 at 11:53 AM
So when do these lower than low go back to court?They both should receive the full 90 years, no parole, no anything, ever. I can only hope the judge and jury see this also. People, speak up when you see something wrong, offer to take children to "give them a break" as I hear some say. I do, no matter how busy and stressed my life may be, a child never deserves anything less than loving,safe to be with parents or guardians, they are innocent little ones who trust us. If CPS doesn't do anything, get names of who you talk to, report them higher up, continue until someone steps in. Don't wait and be one who says I should have done more, you will have to live with that forever. It breaks my heart to see this girl and all of the others who are mistreated and CPS does nothing.If I could house all of these children, I would. So, again, reach out, help those who can not handle life with their children, you may have just saved a child.I will pray that justice is done on this one, no leniency.

Posted by: jeff Location: mc on Nov 14, 2008 at 08:44 AM
so he tells the judge he has no money and he sold his dodge durango fo $50.00 so now he can get a lawyer that we as tax payers pay she is out on bond running the streets as if nothing happen put there butts in jail leave them there this is murder in my books they need the same treatment they gave the child i hope they get whats coming to them life in jail or put to death is a better way for these low lifes

Posted by: Well.... on Nov 14, 2008 at 08:33 AM
I sincerely hope they spend every d**m second of that 90 years...or even better, the person who suggested the death penalty. Not after 20 years of appeals for whatever lame reasons, dreamed up by the lawyers, NOW!

Posted by: Susan on Nov 14, 2008 at 01:47 AM
Okay confused citizen, why didn't you do something after repeated calls to CPS did nothing? IF this child is abused, do MORE!! Stick up for this little one!! Get him/her with someone who gives a darn. Why do we give up after we "do what we can"? Is the "I called CPS" gonna give you solace if something horrible happens to this child??? May this baby rest in peace!! Sign me up for a shot at these parents too. Ronnie and I can tag team!! What he doesn't think of, maybe I will! Rotten scum of the earth. I would say worse, but then it wouldn't be posted, so I'll leave it at that!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 13, 2008 at 10:44 PM
The only thing good enough for them is to be beaten until they are on the brink of death and bring them back and repeat over and over again so they can relive this baby's last moments the same way she did.

Posted by: confused citizen Location: Elkhart on Nov 13, 2008 at 10:33 PM
I can't tell you how many times I have called CPS and nothing has been done to protect the children I see that are being abused. They may send over a policeman to do a well- fare check and the police say there is food and heat so nothing can be done. Last year I called 5 times for a child in my own extended family and NOTHING was done . So I don't know what people should do when they see children getting abused, when you can call and call and no one takes action to stop the abuse. May this beautiful child sit at the hand of God and forever be happy.

Posted by: KK Location: Osceola on Nov 13, 2008 at 09:39 PM
I don't know if this is a publishers error but why does the artical say theyare being held responsible for the little girls death by no seeking medical care? What about all of the beatings and physical abuse. The should be charge with that as well. I agree with Steve the prisoners love new meat to pound on and (for some) the will enjoy a new "partner" and cuddle buddy.

Posted by: Corina Location: south bend on Nov 13, 2008 at 09:15 PM
I am a mother of 5 and i can understand we get stressed out but never would i think of this...there is so much already against the youth. The parents could have gotten help, the baby could have gone to a lovin family, adoption is great, she would have been loved. Someone knew and i can only ask those people how do you live knowing you killed a child with these 2 heartless, and brutal killers. Jails are not kind to baby killers so they will get what they deserve.

Posted by: Steve Location: lagrange on Nov 13, 2008 at 08:13 PM
I don't know what to say. So many good people who can't have children and then we have these 2 bottom feeders. God will judge, but until then introduce them to the dating system in prison. They love people who abuse children

Posted by: Sonji Location: Mishawaka on Nov 13, 2008 at 07:10 PM
This is really sad,someone had to have seen the bruises on that baby

Posted by: Ronnie Location: South Bend on Nov 13, 2008 at 06:27 PM
Every since the story first came out i have wanted just 5 min. with both of those people! there is NO punishment equal to what that poor child went through. BUT God knows i would love to give it a shot and make them suffer!

Posted by: mom of two Location: Knox In on Nov 13, 2008 at 05:12 PM
What a shame! They deserve every bit of punishment that they receive. If you can't handle your child, GIVE IT UP FOR ADOPTION! I know that sounds bad, but its better than a life lost. RIP little girl.

Posted by: Sara Location: Elkhart on Nov 13, 2008 at 04:58 PM
I hope they are given the death penalty. Animals don't even treat their young this way. Rest in peace, beautiful girl.