A warrant has been issued for the arrest of an Anderson man charged in connection with a van crash, nearly six years ago along the Muncie Bypass, that killed a 6-year-old girl.
The charges against 32-year-old Nathaniel Leon Jordan include neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony carrying up to 40 years in prison.
Jordan — also charged with battery resulting in serious bodily injury, driving while intoxicated, driving while suspended, possession of marijuana and three counts of neglect of a dependent — is set to stand trial June 5 in Delaware Circuit Court 3.
However, he failed to show up for pre-trial hearings on April 24 and again on Monday, prompting Judge Linda Ralu Wolf to issue a warrant for Jordan’s arrest.
Testimony at her August 2019 trial indicated Jordan’s former girlfriend, Jessica Skeens, had ingested alcohol and marijuana before her van crashed along the Muncie Bypass, near Meeker Avenue, on May 29, 2017.
The crash killed Skeens’ six-year-old daughter, Taelyn Ann Marie Woodson. Skeens’ three other children were also in the vehicle but survived.
Jordan was also in the van, and he allegedly punched Skeens immediately before the vehicle left the Bypass and rolled.
Skeens, now 34, in 2019 was convicted of charges that included neglect of a dependent resulting in death. She was later sentenced to 41 years in prison by Judge Wolf.
In June 2020, the Indiana Court of Appeals upheld the Farmland woman’s convictions and sentence.
The charges against Jordan were filed on June 1, 2017. In the ensuing six years, his trial has been rescheduled at least 19 times.
According to Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman, anyone with information on Jordan’s whereabouts should call Indiana State Police at 765-778-2121 or Delaware County dispatchers at 765-747-7878.