Father Charged After Leaving 11-Month-Old Baby Alone in Bathtub, Police Say

A tragic incident involving an infant’s death has led to criminal charges against a father after police say he left his 11-month-old baby unattended in a bathtub, later claiming the child’s presence “slipped” his mind.

Authorities say the incident happened inside the family’s home when the father was caring for his children alone. According to investigators, the man filled the bathtub and placed his infant son inside before leaving the bathroom to attend to other household matters.

Baby Left Unattended

Police allege that while the baby was still in the tub, the father became distracted by other tasks and interactions with his older children. During this time, the infant was left alone in the bathroom with running water.

Investigators say the father later admitted he completely forgot the baby was still in the bathtub. When another family member returned home, concerns were raised after water was heard running for an extended period.

Moments later, the infant was found unresponsive in the tub.

Emergency Response and Death

Emergency services were immediately contacted, and first responders arrived at the home within minutes. Despite attempts to revive the child, the baby was pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby medical facility.

Medical examiners later determined the cause of death to be drowning.

Father’s Statement to Police

According to police reports, the father told investigators the situation was not intentional and described the incident as a devastating mistake. He stated that the baby’s presence in the bathtub “slipped” his mind while he was distracted elsewhere in the home.

Law enforcement officials noted that while there was no indication of physical abuse, leaving an infant unattended near water posed a serious and foreseeable danger.

Criminal Charges Filed

Following the investigation, the father was arrested and charged with manslaughter and child endangerment. Police said the charges reflect negligence rather than intent, but emphasized that caregivers are legally responsible for ensuring a child’s safety at all times.

The father is expected to appear in court as the case moves forward. Additional legal proceedings will determine whether further penalties apply.

Community Reaction

The case has deeply affected the local community, with many residents expressing heartbreak over the loss of such a young life. Child safety advocates have also pointed to the incident as a reminder of how quickly accidents can turn fatal when infants are left alone near water.

A Reminder About Child Safety

Authorities continue to urge parents and caregivers never to leave babies unattended during bath time, even for a few seconds. Experts warn that infants can drown silently and quickly, making constant supervision essential.

As the legal process continues, the case stands as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance when caring for young children.