MICHIGAN CITY -- A Michigan City couple faces criminal charges after police found their 4-year-old daughter dead. Scott and Melissa Bruce have been charged with neglect of a dependent.

Police were called to the Tall Timbers Townhouses Friday night on Springland Avenue for a child not breathing. Medics pronounced her dead at the scene.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions, including how the child died. And it's something neighbors and strangers are still struggling with.

On a day when most kids are playing outside, Sharon Kelley's kids are paying their respects.

"They picked teddy bears out of their bedroom and we brought them here," Kelley said.

Kelley lives a few miles away from Tall Timbers Townhouses — where police found a 4-year old girl dead Friday night.

"I couldn't believe that a mother could let a life go that's so precious. It's heartbreaking," said Kelley.

It's a feeling neighbors know all too well. Lynnette Mooi helped organize a candlelight vigil for the little girl.

"She played and danced and laughed and what any 4-year-old would do," said Mooi.

Mooi was standing near the girl's mother when she found out her child was dead — a reaction she'll never forget.

"She was just calm and cool, didn't really say too much of anything," she recalled. "It was very shocking to all of us that saw her. She just said that she hoped that she didn't go to jail for child abuse. And when I asked her why she told me that her daughter had thrown herself and got multiple bruises on her face."

Police arrested the girl's mother and stepfather. They've both been charged with neglect of a dependent.

"There's nothing any of us can do or say to bring her back," said Mooi.

Officials still aren't saying how the girl died. But Mooi says the tragedy serves as an important reminder to everyone.

"I hope and pray that if they suspect child abuse or any other kind of foul play in somebody else's home, that they report it. Because then in turn you save a life. And if you don't, then you're just as guilty as everybody else," she said.

An autopsy was performed Saturday, but the results have not been released. The Michigan City Detective's Bureau is investigating this case.