When Nickalas James Kedrowitz was 13 years old he lived in Osgood in Ripley County, Indiana, United States, with his mother Christina McCartney, his sisters Desirée who was 1 year 11 months old, Abigail who was 1 year old and his stepfather, Stephen Ritz who had an 11-month-old son named Nathaniel, from a previous relationship. Stephen had custody of Nathaniel because Nathaniel’s mother was an addict and had used drugs during her pregnancy.
 
There is not much information available about Nickalas' life. He was a member of a scout group and his main duty was to help a fellow wheelchair user to access public transport. His mother Christina had a master's degree in psychology. 
 
On May 1, 2017, Christina arrived home from work and found Nickalas holding his sister Desirée on his lap, wrapped in a bath towel. He said she wasn’t well. She was not moving or making any noise.