In a story that’s both deeply disturbing and tragically heartbreaking, an Indiana woman has been charged after allegedly watching her boyfriend strangle his 5-year-old daughter on FaceTime, all while allegedly thinking they were “just playing.”
According to police, 41-year-old Zachary Arnold is now facing murder charges after the death of his daughter, Zara Arnold. What started as a neglect case quickly escalated when an autopsy revealed that the child died from asphyxiation caused by a ligature. The tragedy unfolded on May 19 in Lebanon, Indiana, when authorities responded to Arnold’s home and found the little girl unresponsive.
Arnold’s girlfriend, Andrea Figueroa-Lopez, was on a FaceTime call with him during the horrifying moment. Instead of intervening, she allegedly watched as Arnold placed a noose around Zara’s neck and dragged her, even going as far as hanging her over his back, per IndyStar.
Shockingly, Figueroa-Lopez told investigators she believed they were “just playing.” That may seem impossible to believe, but it’s what she claimed when police started asking questions. Even more troubling is the fact that she admitted to telling him to stop, yet she never called 911 or made any attempt to get help.
Indiana Woman Watched Boyfriend Strangle His Daughter via FaceTime
What’s worse? Police reportedly found screenshots of the incident on Figueroa-Lopez’s phone, suggesting she not only watched but documented parts of it. That level of inaction raises serious questions. Was she truly that unaware, or was she trying to cover her tracks later?
Authorities clearly didn’t buy the innocence act. Figueroa-Lopez has now been charged with failure to report child abuse and neglect resulting in death. Arnold, who initially tried to claim his daughter had a seizure, is now formally facing a murder charge and is being held without bond. Both are expected to appear in court later this summer.
The idea of a parent being responsible for such an unthinkable act is horrifying on its own, but the fact that another adult watched it unfold in real time and did nothing? That adds another layer of tragedy. We often talk about bystander responsibility when it comes to violence, and this case is a haunting example of what can happen when that responsibility is ignored.
The Internet Is Reeling
“Such a lie! How TF did you think they were just playing?” one person commented.
“That is demonic,” said another.
“They both should be charged. Poor baby girl, rest in peace,” a third person wrote.
It’s worth noting that Indiana, like many states, has mandatory reporting laws when it comes to suspected child abuse. Anyone, especially an adult present in any capacity, is required to report such incidents immediately. Figueroa-Lopez’s failure to do so isn’t just morally questionable, it’s criminal.
Zara Arnold was only five years old. She should’ve had a lifetime ahead of her — school plays, birthday parties, scraped knees, and sleepovers. Instead, her life was cruelly taken, and the two adults who could’ve protected her failed her in the worst way.
As more details unfold in court this summer, the case is already igniting outrage and grief among the public, especially parents. Stories like this remind us how fragile and precious children’s lives are, and how vital it is for adults, even those watching through a screen, to take action when something feels wrong.
This isn’t just a tragic mistake. It’s a devastating loss that could’ve been prevented, and now, the Indiana justice system will decide the price both Zachary Arnold and Andrea Figueroa-Lopez will pay.
Joshua Dale 
Kendra Quinn 
