A Michigan mom was arraigned Friday on charges of manslaughter and child abuse over the drowning of her infant son last November.
Olivia Miller, 23, told detectives “varying stories” about Asher Johnson’s drowning death.
The mother claimed that she left the baby in the bathtub with the water running and went to switch laundry. When she returned, he was floating face-up in the bathtub.
An investigation revealed that Miller was on the phone for 20 minutes while Asher drowned.
The chief medical examiner determined that the baby was pulled out of the bathtub and put on the floor for 20 minutes before first responders arrived.
Before calling 911, Miller reportedly texted her father “Just trying to talk while I have time while Asher’s taking a nap.”
Defense attorney Frank Stanley said there was “no indication of intentionality” in Asher’s drowning.
“Just because a tragic event happened, it doesn’t mean somebody’s criminally responsible for it,” the attorney said.
