9-MONTH-OLD LEFT ALONE TO DROWN IN BATHTUB AS DAD PLAYED VIDEO GAMES, COPS SAY
Mar. 19 2021, Updated 11:33 a.m. ET
A 9-month-old baby drown after being left alone in a bathtub as dad played video games, according to a report.
On March 4, Nicholas Lee Ducote put his 9-month-old and 2-year-old children in the bathtub so that they could play with bath toys while he folded laundry, St. Landry Parrish Sheriff (Louisana) alleged.
Ducote then left the bathroom and played a video game on his TV for a short time, police said.
While he was in the other room, he heard a loud splash. When he went to check on his children, the 9-month-old was unresponsive in the water in the back of the tub, according to officers.
The 2-year-old was in the front of the tub and was not injured.
Ducote removed the children from the tub and called a family member over for help. They contacted emergency services immediately, authorities said in a statement.
“The death of the juvenile was ruled an accidental drowning, however, Nicholas Ducote committed the act of criminal negligence,” said Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz. “His simple carelessness resulted in the accidental death of an infant child.”
On March 15, Ducote was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide. He is currently being held in the St. Landry Parish Jail on $25,000 bond.