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Guardian says she was overwhelmed caring for boy who died

Robin Kraemer and three other adults were charged with neglect by Vigo County prosecutors after Cameron Hoopingarner died in February.
Four suspects are led from court after an initial appearance Thursday. (Photo: Tribune-Star)

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) - A woman charged with neglect in the death of a 9-year-old Indiana boy who weighed just 15 pounds testified she felt overwhelmed caring for him and admitted smoking methamphetamine just days before he died.

Robin Kraemer and three other adults were charged by Vigo County prosecutors after Cameron Hoopingarner died in February. Authorities say Cameron had cerebral palsy and was blind. Kraemer was the boy's guardian through an agreement with his birth mother.

The Tribune-Star reports Kraemer testified Wednesday that she gave Cameron daily massages, baths and multiple feedings at their home near Terre Haute but lost help when her mother died and her husband was hospitalized last year.

A pathologist testified the boy was malnourished but wasn't dehydrated, didn't have bedsores and his teeth had been regularly cleaned.

(Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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