8-month-old boy died after his mother put him in a tub filled with water, then used her phone for nearly half an hour, leaving the boy alone in the bathroom; mother pleads no-contest
Michigan – In a heartbreaking case in Michigan that has shaken the community, a 23-year-old mother, identified as O. Miller, has pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter after her infant son drowned while she was using her cellphone for nearly half an hour. According to court records, Miller entered the plea in connection with the death of her 8-month-old son this week and now faces up to a year in jail under the terms of her plea agreement.
The distressing events unfolded on November 22, 2023, when Miller placed her son in a bathtub that was filled a few inches with the water flowing. According to initial reports by Miller to detectives, she left the bathroom to change laundry in an adjacent room, claiming to return within five minutes to find her son floating face-up, his nose and mouth submerged. She attempted resuscitation until emergency services arrived. First responders transported the 8-month-old boy to a hospital, where he was unfortunately pronounced dead.
However, inconsistencies in Miller’s account emerged during the investigation. Detectives noted that Miller’s version of events changed over time, adding layers of doubt to her initial narrative. A probable cause affidavit highlighted the variations in her stories about the circumstances leading to Asher’s death. This inconsistency was corroborated by data retrieved from Miller’s cellphone, which painted a different picture of her activities at the time.
Cellphone records indicated that Miller was engaged with her phone from 3:17 p.m., only taking a brief 18-second break until making the emergency call at 3:38 p.m. Adding to the confusion, Miller texted her father, saying, “Just trying to talk while I have time while he’s taking a nap,” about four minutes before dialing 911. She also contacted the boy’s paternal grandmother twice to inform her of the drowning before finally calling emergency services.
The autopsy report was unequivocal in its findings, with the county’s chief medical examiner confirming that drowning was the cause of the 8-month-old boy’s death. Further analysis suggested that the boy had been left unattended on the bathtub floor for at least 20 minutes before help arrived.
Under the plea agreement, Miller faces up to a year in jail, reflecting the severity of the negligence involved. Her attorney, F. Stanley, emphasized that there was no intent to harm on Miller’s part, describing the incident as a tragic accident that has left Miller profoundly emotionally impacted. He stated, “This is a tragic situation. She has suffered tremendously emotionally from the death of her child — she loves that child.” Miller’s sentencing is scheduled for early November, where the full consequences of her actions will be legally recognized.
