A mum who is alleged to have left her young foster child alone in a bathtub who then died while she took a phone call has been arrested.

Hailynn Volpatti, 25, was charged with felony neglect of a dependent resulting in death after 21-month-old Nova Bryant, who had special needs, drowned. First responders at the home in Indiana arrived they found the youngster still had a pulse.

They were able to revive her and she was transported to a local hospital. However, her condition was so severe she was transferred to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis for specialised treatment but later died.