A 31-year-old man in Arkansas faces manslaughter charges after telling authorities he inadvertently left his 11-month-old child in a running bathtub while tending to his other children.
James Dawson of Lepanto, Arkansas, admitted to police he forgot about the baby while dealing with a dinner-time dispute.
The 11-month-old was discovered unresponsive and later died at a local hospital on October 2, 2025.
Dawson was initially arrested Tuesday but released on bail; the amount has not been disclosed.
he is charged with manslaughter and first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.
Lepanto, Arkansas – A father is facing manslaughter charges after his 11-month-old baby drowned in a bathtub, authorities said. James Dawson, 31, told investigators he “forgot” the infant was in the tub while attempting to resolve a disagreement between his other children over dinner, according to an affidavit.
Police officers (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Lepanto is a small community located approximately 25 miles west of the Mississippi River and the Tennessee state line.
Authorities have been contacted for further information.
