Merrillville couple sign plea in abuse death of 10-year-old

A former Merrillville couple recently pleaded guilty in a boy’s vicious child abuse death two years ago — a legal move that could spare each from dying behind bars.

April Kutcha Wright and her wife Rachel Wright, both 28, formerly of the 7100 block of Fillmore Court, were charged Oct. 23, 2020, with murder in the death of Leviticus Kuchta, 10, April’s younger brother, according to court records.

Levi, who had makeup covering puncture wounds on his face, was riddled with injuries in various degrees of infection and healing to his head, hands, arm, back, groin, leg and ankles, records said.

Two of the injuries — a dislocated jaw and spine — rendered him unable to walk or talk before his death, records said. The boy would have died instantly from the spine injury and was dead for several hours before paramedics were called, documents state.

Both women admitted to neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony. Under each deal, April’s sentence would be capped at 35 years, while Rachel’s would be capped at 25 years. Both admitted they knew the other abused the boy, but did nothing to stop it, according to court records.

Rachel Wright’s sentencing is set for Dec. 1, while April’s is scheduled for Jan. 19, both before Lake Superior Judge Gina Jones, who would need to accept each plea.

Police were sent to the Wrights’ home after they called 911 around 8 a.m. Oct. 12, 2020, because the boy was unresponsive, court records said.

Levi, according to a relative who spoke to police, had been staying with the women after April Wright’s and his grandfather died that August, and April Wright volunteered to take care of him, records said.

Rachel Wright claimed the boy was hurt from two dirt bike accidents days before and died in his sleep.

The Wrights were originally charged with murder, aggravated battery, neglect of a dependent resulting in death and battery of a person less than 14 years old.

Kuchta Wright had a lengthy criminal record, including a conviction a decade earlier for tying and sexually abusing a 16-yearold boy at knife point, records show.