Four-year-old Michigan City girl died of injury to the neck
Four-year-old Michigan City girl died of injury to the neck Save Email Print
Posted: 5:10 PM Sep 27, 2008
 Last Updated: 5:10 PM Sep 27, 2008
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The Laporte County coroner says a four-year-old Michigan City girl found dead, died of an “injury to the neck.”

Savannah Pioch was found dead in her mother and step-father’s Tall Timbers apartment earlier this month.

Her mother, 24-year old Melissa Bruce and step-father, Scott Bruce have been charged with neglect leading to her death.

According to our Read It/Watch It partners at the Michigan City News Dispatch, it may take the coroner’s office a few weeks to release the final report.

Prosecutors say the parents hit Savannah, then tied her up and left her in a sleeping bag.

Police do not know how long she was left there.

You can read more about this story in Saturday’s edition of the Michigan City News Dispatch.
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Posted by: Anonymous friend of the Pioch children Location: Chicagoland on Nov 11, 2008 at 10:11 PM
May Savannah find more peace in death than she did in life at the hands of her mother. Maybe Melissa had help, but she was without doubt, the cause of Savannah's death. Abused wife, lost soul, help was offered to her and she chose this path instead. May god forgive me for the harm I wish on her.
Posted by: Aunt Location: Portage on Nov 7, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Savannah's Paternal Great Grandmother died Oct. 26th. They are together now in a safe and beautiful place. This family loves and misses you both. Whether you lived four years or eighy-two, you both touched so many hearts. God keep you in His care.
Posted by: Rita Location: Albrightsville, Pa on Oct 13, 2008 at 09:47 PM
i cant believe any one could do that, that is just foul and messed up. i dont care how much a child gets you upset u walk away from them if anything. i have one of my own and i know how upsetting they can make you, but it dosent mean you hit them let alone neglect them the way they did. They deserve to rot in jail and get a taste of their own bullshit. I hope they seriously get beat up so bad that they rot in pain and see how it feels until they die of neglect. Screw them rot in hell you pieces of shit>!
Posted by: A Teen Location: Michigan City on Oct 2, 2008 at 10:29 PM
I don't agree with nayone in this case Yes what happened but even the kids that lived in that house don't know who's to blame The six yr old has no idea really whats goin on The 17,16 and 14 yr old have issues sleepin eating tlakin and breathin and the 15 yr old doesn't even say anything women in this say that the mother should have knew more about the man before all of this I nall honesty it works both ways the father should have known too the kids and a lot of other didn't learn how she tryllu was until the week that this all happened The step father did have issues but not quite as few as the mother did but noone in the nieghborhood seen this they were too blind to see So before you go pointing the finger know ur facts first
Posted by: A Mom Location: S.Bend on Sep 29, 2008 at 02:08 PM
I agree with Alan,Glenn, and Julie. Something has to change so these type of sick people do not get to sit in jail with a roof over their head, food, schooling, and even Dr.'s care when needed. None of the victims get any second chances. It is time the justice cleans house and makes stricter punishments. No plea deals either. There is and there never will be any excuse for people to do harm to children. The laws are way to lenient and we the people need to help the survivors get these laws changed. Our children need to be safe.
Posted by: Jessica Location: Mishawaka on Sep 29, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Lets beat up the parents and then tie them up and stick them in sleeping bags and give them a neck injury, just like they did to their little girl!!! That would be justice...
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 29, 2008 at 01:22 PM
First of all Melissa is extremely abusive. Especially toward Savannah and her ex-husband. No authorities would re-act when notified in Illinois. The new husband may have done it but my money is on Melissa as the main abuser in this case. People need to realize that women are just as capable of these horrible acts.
Posted by: Jen Location: Mishawaka on Sep 29, 2008 at 12:31 PM
To Mommy: It's true these girls have kids and that realtionship doesn't work out so they go off and meet a new guy and their kids become disposable. Their new husband or boyfriend doesn't care about her kids. It's happening too often. PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN! Pay attention to how the new man in your life interacts with your children. Don't leave them until you have full trust in them. Your new boyfriend is not your new babysitter. Please WAKE UP! As for this mom and stepfather....Eye for an Eye!
Posted by: Myrt on Sep 29, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Just tell the inmates at the "big house" what they did and justice will be served.
Posted by: Ann Location: SB on Sep 29, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Capital Punishment should be brought back. Fried them like a French Fry..
Posted by: mommy Location: mishawaka on Sep 29, 2008 at 11:23 AM
ok wasnt it the wife's husband that did this? what i have been seeing is single girls/women hooking up with men and the men are the ones killing the children. what is going on? this scares me i have a grand daughter due this week, what if she and my son break up, and she meets another, i am going to forever fear that if the baby/child makes this man mad he will hurt/kill her. it is awful. the man in this situation has his own daughters, he did not hurt them(that i know of from the stories) but he hurt a child that is not his blood.... sick people out there,, young mothers need to be so very careful in this situations.
Posted by: Julie Location: Mishawaka on Sep 29, 2008 at 11:23 AM
The very first comment on here reads, "I hope they rot in jail" But the problem is they do not ROT in jail. They get fresh air from outside, they get to watch tv, write letters, have visits, read, learn, eat 3 meals a day. That is not rotting in jail, and the taxpayers are paying for it! They deserve to die the same way they caused death. God Bless Savannah and her birth father and the rest of the family.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 29, 2008 at 09:49 AM
every body should have to pay for a licence before they can have kids and then only have 2 any more than that is too many and allof us problabaly are supporting them i dont have any and NEVER do
Posted by: James Location: Mishawaka on Sep 29, 2008 at 09:35 AM
In response to Hunter's Mama. Typically, the prosecutors office just comes up with a quick initial charge so they can hold the suspects (you can't hold in jail without a charge). Then after specific evidence comes in, like the autopsy report. Then those charges are added to the others after they know if they need to pursue like manslaughter or murder. I would think this gets a manslaughter charge. The difference is murder has to have intent. I'm not sure they meant to kill the girl, hence the manslaughter charge but the prosecutor will figure this part out. But I do agree with you that they need to pay the ulitmate price.
Posted by: Alan Location: Elkhart on Sep 29, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Public stoning anyone?
Posted by: stephanie Location: southbend on Sep 29, 2008 at 09:14 AM
it breaks my heart more and more to read the news paper!!! Anymore it seems like daily there are young innocent children dieing. i hope the parents of this young child rot in hell!!!!! i just read an article about a young mother that lost her FIANCE SIX YEARS AGO, AND NOW HER SON WAS KILLED IN A BUS ACCIDENT!! WHAT RIGHT DO THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO KILL A CHILD? NOW THE WOMAN FROM THE ARTICLE ASKS.... HOW DO I GO ON? THIS STORY OF THE GIRL IN A SLEEPING BAG DISGUSTS ME!!!!! GOD BLESS EVERYONE INVOLVED IN BOTH CASES!!!!
Posted by: amy Location: mishawaka on Sep 29, 2008 at 08:44 AM
It hurts me so bad i want children so bad and me and my husband have been trying so hard andwe just arent getting pregnant. Then people like that have no problems having children they dont want. I hope these people get what they deserve.
Posted by: David Location: Mishawaka on Sep 29, 2008 at 07:32 AM
wow. there isn't a place on earth you can put them, where, punishment they could get, would be extreme enough.
Posted by: Hunter's Mama Location: Mishawaka on Sep 28, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Can someone explain to me how beating a 4 year old, tying her up and then shoving her in a sleeping bag constitutes neglect? Is it because it was a child? - if you did it to an adult and they died - it'd be murder and that is exactly what they should be charged with! Murder and let them go to prison as a child murderer and let them see what happens to the in jail...exactly what they did to that baby.....
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 28, 2008 at 05:13 PM
This is so discusting I'm a 24 year old mother of two children a 6 year old boy and a 4 year girl. I couldn't imagine ever hurting either one of my children I don't care if they get out of hand a little my god they are kids How dare someone Do something so horrid to their child. It's sick and I agree they deserve a whole lot more than just sitting in jail
Posted by: Glenn on Sep 28, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Anyone else remember the movie Running Man? Imagine how much penal funding we could get back by selling hunting tickets to people willing to chase these pieces of human garbage!
Posted by: Ronnie Location: South BEnd on Sep 28, 2008 at 04:50 PM
I agree with Deb... This info on the little girl should be headlines. IM SOOO sick of Notre Dame this Notre Dame that! Who the hell cares! I really hope that justice gets served for the death of this innocent life. And The person who prepares these top stories realize that not everyone in the world wants to see and hear all about ND all it is for this city is a money maker its all about the money and everyone who gambles on ND needs a reality check.
Posted by: Laurie Location: Niles on Sep 28, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Deb...I agree...both WNDU and WSBT have their priorities wrong this week. This important story has hardly any details and refers you elsewhere. We have made national news with the school bus crash. We have an national story about the economy (well written) from the people of Wakarusa that is a national Associated Press story. But everything is Notre Dame. Priorities are messed up. I think I'll get my news from the internet from now on.
Posted by: A MOM Location: S.Bend on Sep 28, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Why is this only felony neglect? This IS pre-mediated murder. This IS straight out murder. Is it because she is a child? These scum of earth people will not get what they deserve. I pray for Savannah that her pain was blocked by God and I pray that these beings get punished severely. There is no reason anyone should hurt any child, no matter the age, no matter the reason.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 28, 2008 at 12:42 PM
R I P little one.
Posted by: Meg Location: Michigan on Sep 28, 2008 at 11:03 AM
How can any parent cause that much harm to their child. I mean maybe a small punishment if they did something wrong but to cause harm so they die make them rott in a cell somewhere for good.
Posted by: PAM Location: ROCHESTER on Sep 28, 2008 at 09:28 AM
THIS IS A SAD STORY..WHAT THEY DID TO THAT LITTLE GIRL IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO THEM..
Posted by: What exactly? Location: Plymouth on Sep 28, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Does "injury to the neck" mean? Was she strangled or what? I know it's a moot point, but I am curious. And Jessica? Jail isn't the only place they need to rot in. It is sad and it makes me angry too. She was such a beautiful little girl.
Posted by: deb Location: rome city on Sep 28, 2008 at 01:49 AM
WHY are there THREE Notre Dame sport stories on the top stories and this is found just when scrolled down? Sooo horrid what the little girl went thru and yet u want WHO to think Notre Dame is more important?????
Posted by: rick Location: mishawaka on Sep 27, 2008 at 11:15 PM
An eye for an eye, they dont deserve to live.
Posted by: Linda Location: Niles on Sep 27, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Rotting in jail is wayyy to good for them... I have much much worse things in mind.... scum should be treated like scum!! This makes me extremely angry. Children DO NOT deserve to be abused... period!!
Posted by: Susan on Sep 27, 2008 at 09:24 PM
Neck injury...so either they fractured her neck, strangled her (suffocation)or severed blood vessels and she bled to death. Sounds like murder to me, not just neglect. Hang em high!!! Maybe they'll like the feeling of neck injuries!!
Posted by: jessica Location: granger, in on Sep 27, 2008 at 07:53 PM
THAT IS SO SAD......They need to rot in jail for the crime.

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