Nearly two weeks after a cleaning worker was killed on a Whitestown porch, Boone County prosecutors charged the homeowner with voluntary manslaughter, concluding his actions fell outside Indiana’s self-defense protections.
The charge, announced Monday, stems from the Nov. 5 killing of 32-year-old Maria Rios Perez, a Guatemalan immigrant and mother of four who had mistakenly arrived at the wrong home with her cleaning crew just before sunrise. Officers responded to what was reported as a possible home invasion in progress and found Rios unresponsive on the porch near Maize Lane and Red Barn Drive.
Prosecutors say the homeowner, Curt Andersen, fired the fatal shot through his front door after believing someone was attempting to break in. After reviewing witness accounts and investigative reports, authorities concluded Andersen’s actions were not protected by Indiana’s “Stand Your Ground” law.
Indiana law permits individuals to use deadly force if they reasonably believe it is necessary for self-defense and are lawfully present in the location. However, authorities say no unlawful entry or force occurred before the shooting, and prosecutors stated the actions taken did not meet Stand Your Ground protections after a comprehensive review.
When the officers arrived at the house at 7:00 a.m., the situation was confusing and chaotic. Police found Rios and another person on the porch, tried to save her, but she had already died. The cleaning team thought they were at the right house, but the GPS had sent them to the wrong place.
The killing brought quick anger in the community. Locals, advocates, and members of Indianapolis’s Latino immigrant community sought answers. There were vigils and marches. Friends described Perez as a hardworking mother with multiple jobs. A common chant at these events was “Sin justicia, no hay paz,” or “No justice, no peace.” It showed both the pain and the will to see the case go to court.
The family says Rios came to the U.S. for a better life for her four children, who now have no mother. Loved ones described her as gentle and hardworking, proud of her job and her ability to provide for her family. Her death shocked her family and the larger immigrant community.
Prosecutors have not shared more details about Andersen’s story, but stated that the case remains open and additional information will be released as the court process progresses. Legal experts predict that the case will likely garner attention due to its involvement with self-defense laws and the definition of a reasonable fear of danger.
This shooting happened as other mistaken-address cases are being talked about across the country. These cases have sparked further debates about how homeowners respond to perceived threats. Prosecutors often discuss the distinction between being scared and having a legitimate reason to be scared. This idea will be important in Andersen’s case.
For Rios’ family, the legal case is just a part of the pursuit of justice. Advocates say they will keep helping her family and raising awareness about the risks immigrant workers face.
“Maria should have come home safely that day,” a community leader said at a vigil. “Her family deserved better, and our community wants answers.”
Andersen is set to appear in court for his first hearing later this week.
