Topline: Zachary Arnold allegedly admitted to choking his daughter multiple times the night before she was found dead.
Published: May 23, 2025 7:30 am ET
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Zachary Arnold (via IMPD)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A 5-year-old girl is dead, and her father and his ex-girlfriend are facing serious charges following what authorities describe as a horrifying case of child abuse that ended in murder.
Zachary Arnold, 41, has been charged with murder in the death of his daughter, Zara Arnold, who was found unresponsive on May 19 at a home in the 200 block of North Lasalle Street.
His ex-girlfriend, 30-year-old Andrea Lopez-Figueroa, faces charges of assisting a criminal and failure to report child abuse.
Police responded to the home around 11 a.m. after a report claimed Zara had fallen down the stairs. But when officers arrived, they found the child with extensive trauma, dried blood on her face and shirt, and her body cold to the touch, according to WISH-TV.
Medics pronounced her dead at the scene.
Court documents acquired by WTHR paint a disturbing picture of ongoing abuse.
WTHR reported a medical pathologist determined Zara died from blunt force trauma to the head. Detectives said the girl had visible bruises and cuts on her arms and face.
Lopez-Figueroa told investigators that the day before Zara’s death, Zachary Arnold said the child wasn’t listening to his rules and that he was “going to kill” her. During a FaceTime call that Sunday afternoon, she claimed she saw Arnold choking Zara, kicking her, and holding her by the throat. She said she didn’t call 911 because she was scared of him.
On Monday morning, Lopez-Figueroa said Arnold again FaceTimed her, this time crying and performing chest compressions on Zara.
Zara’s mother, who hadn’t seen her daughter since September 2024 and did not have custody, told police she feared for her child’s safety. She recalled an earlier incident where Arnold allegedly pointed a gun at Zara’s head when she was just 10 months old. In a more recent encounter at a Wendy’s, she said Arnold grabbed Zara by the neck and dragged her out of the restaurant, court documents indicate.
Though she recorded the incident, detectives said only surveillance footage confirmed the physical aggression.
Court records reveal Arnold initially claimed Zara fell down the stairs, but later admitted to choking her multiple times the night before she died. He told detectives that she was still alive when he put her to bed, but cold the next morning. He allegedly confessed that Zara had trouble breathing after he assaulted her and that she had asked him, “Why did you hurt me? I love you,” according to court records.
Detectives found multiple videos on Lopez-Figueroa’s phone showing Arnold strangling Zara, including a clip from May 18 that showed him putting a rope around her neck and swinging her by it. In the video, Zara was still alive.
Zachary Arnold remains in custody and has entered a preliminary plea of not guilty. Prosecutors are seeking life without parole. His pretrial conference is scheduled for July 28.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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Indiana Father Charged with Murder of 5-Year-Old Daughter
Zachary Arnold allegedly admitted to choking his daughter multiple times the night before she was found dead.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 23, 2025 7:30 am ET
Zachary Arnold (via IMPD)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A 5-year-old girl is dead, and her father and his ex-girlfriend are facing serious charges following what authorities describe as a horrifying case of child abuse that ended in murder.
Zachary Arnold, 41, has been charged with murder in the death of his daughter, Zara Arnold, who was found unresponsive on May 19 at a home in the 200 block of North Lasalle Street.
His ex-girlfriend, 30-year-old Andrea Lopez-Figueroa, faces charges of assisting a criminal and failure to report child abuse.
Police responded to the home around 11 a.m. after a report claimed Zara had fallen down the stairs. But when officers arrived, they found the child with extensive trauma, dried blood on her face and shirt, and her body cold to the touch, according to WISH-TV.
Medics pronounced her dead at the scene.
Court documents acquired by WTHR paint a disturbing picture of ongoing abuse.
WTHR reported a medical pathologist determined Zara died from blunt force trauma to the head. Detectives said the girl had visible bruises and cuts on her arms and face.
Lopez-Figueroa told investigators that the day before Zara’s death, Zachary Arnold said the child wasn’t listening to his rules and that he was “going to kill” her. During a FaceTime call that Sunday afternoon, she claimed she saw Arnold choking Zara, kicking her, and holding her by the throat. She said she didn’t call 911 because she was scared of him.
On Monday morning, Lopez-Figueroa said Arnold again FaceTimed her, this time crying and performing chest compressions on Zara.
Zara’s mother, who hadn’t seen her daughter since September 2024 and did not have custody, told police she feared for her child’s safety. She recalled an earlier incident where Arnold allegedly pointed a gun at Zara’s head when she was just 10 months old. In a more recent encounter at a Wendy’s, she said Arnold grabbed Zara by the neck and dragged her out of the restaurant, court documents indicate.
Though she recorded the incident, detectives said only surveillance footage confirmed the physical aggression.
Court records reveal Arnold initially claimed Zara fell down the stairs, but later admitted to choking her multiple times the night before she died. He told detectives that she was still alive when he put her to bed, but cold the next morning. He allegedly confessed that Zara had trouble breathing after he assaulted her and that she had asked him, “Why did you hurt me? I love you,” according to court records.
Detectives found multiple videos on Lopez-Figueroa’s phone showing Arnold strangling Zara, including a clip from May 18 that showed him putting a rope around her neck and swinging her by it. In the video, Zara was still alive.
Zachary Arnold remains in custody and has entered a preliminary plea of not guilty. Prosecutors are seeking life without parole. His pretrial conference is scheduled for July 28.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Indiana Father Charged with Murder of 5-Year-Old Daughter
Zachary Arnold allegedly admitted to choking his daughter multiple times the night before she was found dead.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 23, 2025 7:30 am ET
Zachary Arnold (via IMPD)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A 5-year-old girl is dead, and her father and his ex-girlfriend are facing serious charges following what authorities describe as a horrifying case of child abuse that ended in murder.
Zachary Arnold, 41, has been charged with murder in the death of his daughter, Zara Arnold, who was found unresponsive on May 19 at a home in the 200 block of North Lasalle Street.
His ex-girlfriend, 30-year-old Andrea Lopez-Figueroa, faces charges of assisting a criminal and failure to report child abuse.
Police responded to the home around 11 a.m. after a report claimed Zara had fallen down the stairs. But when officers arrived, they found the child with extensive trauma, dried blood on her face and shirt, and her body cold to the touch, according to WISH-TV.
Medics pronounced her dead at the scene.
Court documents acquired by WTHR paint a disturbing picture of ongoing abuse.
WTHR reported a medical pathologist determined Zara died from blunt force trauma to the head. Detectives said the girl had visible bruises and cuts on her arms and face.
Lopez-Figueroa told investigators that the day before Zara’s death, Zachary Arnold said the child wasn’t listening to his rules and that he was “going to kill” her. During a FaceTime call that Sunday afternoon, she claimed she saw Arnold choking Zara, kicking her, and holding her by the throat. She said she didn’t call 911 because she was scared of him.
On Monday morning, Lopez-Figueroa said Arnold again FaceTimed her, this time crying and performing chest compressions on Zara.
Zara’s mother, who hadn’t seen her daughter since September 2024 and did not have custody, told police she feared for her child’s safety. She recalled an earlier incident where Arnold allegedly pointed a gun at Zara’s head when she was just 10 months old. In a more recent encounter at a Wendy’s, she said Arnold grabbed Zara by the neck and dragged her out of the restaurant, court documents indicate.
Though she recorded the incident, detectives said only surveillance footage confirmed the physical aggression.
Court records reveal Arnold initially claimed Zara fell down the stairs, but later admitted to choking her multiple times the night before she died. He told detectives that she was still alive when he put her to bed, but cold the next morning. He allegedly confessed that Zara had trouble breathing after he assaulted her and that she had asked him, “Why did you hurt me? I love you,” according to court records.
Detectives found multiple videos on Lopez-Figueroa’s phone showing Arnold strangling Zara, including a clip from May 18 that showed him putting a rope around her neck and swinging her by it. In the video, Zara was still alive.
Zachary Arnold remains in custody and has entered a preliminary plea of not guilty. Prosecutors are seeking life without parole. His pretrial conference is scheduled for July 28.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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