5-month-old drowns in bathtub while dad plays video games

[left-of-center2012]

An Alabama father who was arrested after his baby son drowned in the bathtub claims he left the room to play video games and forgot the baby was there, authorities said. The 5-month-old was not breathing when deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office responded to a call at the Tarrant, Alabama, home Sunday night, the sheriff's office said. Paramedics took the baby to the hospital where he soon was pronounced dead, the sheriff's office said.

The baby's father, 23-year-old Cordarius Cotton, told detectives he had turned the water on and put the baby in the tub and then left the room to play a video game, the sheriff's office said.

Cotton told detectives he forgot about the baby and "when he returned to the bathtub about an hour later he found the child was unresponsive," the sheriff's office said. Detectives believe Cotton's claim, Sgt. Jake Self told ABC News.

Cotton was arrested and charged with reckless manslaughter.The baby's mother was not home at the time, Self said. Two other children live at the home and one was there at the time of the incident, Self said. The two children were placed in the care of a grandmother pending an investigation, he said.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/month-drowns-bathtub-dad-plays-video-games-police/story?id=58091687

[moriah]

1. I feel sorry for parents of 2-3 year olds when this type of thing happens.

I was bathing myself unsupervised before three, and when we moved into my grandmother's house and she realized that, she flipped out because of the danger of drowning even at that age. My parents were too busy to supervise even if guidelines say they should have been.

A five month old often barely can sit unassisted. It's not considered a late acquisition until 7+ months of age, though some are pros at 4mo.

I still would like to see if the accusation it was neglect for a video game (vs a phone call/other child sounding like they were dying, but even then still carry wet nekkid kid with you) came from uncoerced confession, he should have a trial, etc. But.... even if we can't make parenting classes required before kids, can we make them required *after* having them?

RIP angel.

[Blue_true]

7. I am no parent, but there is no way that I would leave a child that is younger

than 4 in a bathroom without being in some type of contact where I can instantly act. If the child is potty trained, I would give him or her privacy and stay near the door talking to him or her. Once they can work the shower, then my sense is they can bathe alone.

[moriah]

8. As I said, my grandma flipped because of how young I was.

I was a very lucky kid and I'm not trying to say my parents were perfect. I nearly burned the house down because of being unsupervised before we moved in with Granny, too. Just because I survived doesn't mean I am recommending such.

But drowning is silent, and some parents might start slacking off a bit on supervision during the toddler years. It doesn't take but five minutes of distraction at the wrong time for a tragedy.

I just can't see anyone sane or caring or understanding of a 5 month old who could allegedly leave a child that age in the tub with the water apparently running -- or any water at all. I know it happens. And it's not always drugs, or always dads. But a video game?

[Doreen]

2. WTF!!!!!

You DO NOT leave a 5 month old baby alone in a bath tub no matter what reason there is to leave. You take the baby with you.

[Mariana]

3. He was probably drunk, or on some other drug

if the story is true.

[Doreen]

4. Poor man probably "had" to babysit his kid.

I hate it when people say "I have to babysit my kid."

[ChubbyStar]

5. Seriously!

Parents do not babysit, they fucking parent. What a fucking asshole.

[Doreen]

6. Yeah, where I live I have heard that to many times.