Tragic Misunderstanding: Indiana House Cleaner Shot at Wrong Address

Sun Nov 09 2025 04:05:03 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A horrifying incident unfolded in Whitestown, Indiana, where a house cleaner was shot after mistakenly arriving at the wrong address. The authorities are now considering whether to charge the homeowner in this tragic case.

In a heartbreaking incident, Maria Florinda Rios Perez, a 32-year-old house cleaner, was shot dead at a Whitestown home after mistakenly arriving at the wrong address with her husband. The homeowner's actions are now under investigation, with law authorities deliberating potential charges. This tragic event highlights the complexities of 'castle doctrine' laws regarding self-defense. Rios Perez, a mother of four, was set to be buried in Guatemala, leaving her family in mourning as they seek justice.

Authorities in Indiana are contemplating whether charges should be filed against a homeowner who shot and killed a woman, Maria Florinda Rios Perez, a house cleaner who unintentionally arrived at the wrong address. Police reported that the tragic event took place in Whitestown, a suburb of Indianapolis. Rios Perez was just 32 years old and was found dead on the porch before 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Her husband, Mauricio Velazquez, was with her when she fell into his arms after being shot, shocked to discover she had been hurt.

Rios Perez worked with a cleaning crew and had been employed for seven months, as noted by her grieving husband. Family members described her as a devoted mother of four. Authorities confirmed plans to bury her in Guatemala. The police have not disclosed the identity of the shooter and have handed over investigation details to the Boone County Prosecutor, Kent Eastwood. He explained that determining whether to file charges is complicated due to Indiana's ‘castle doctrine’ laws, which allow for the use of deadly force against what one perceives as unlawful entry into their home.

In light of similar cases, legal precedents could influence the outcome. For instance, an elderly man in Missouri recently pleaded guilty for shooting a teenager who mistakenly approached his door. Eastwood emphasized the necessity of thorough investigative work to get to the truth of what happened before any decisions can be made.