by Lepanto, Arkansas—A father is facing serious criminal charges after authorities say his 11-month-old son drowned after being left alone in a bathtub, an incident investigators allege occurred while the man argued with his other children in another part of the house.
The Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that James Dawson, 31, has been arrested and charged with manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a minor following the child’s death earlier this month.
Emergency Call Leads to Tragic Discovery
According to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by regional media outlets, first responders from the Lepanto Fire Department and Lepanto Police Department were dispatched on October 2, 2025, to a home on Will Henry Drive after receiving a 911 call about an unresponsive infant.
When crews arrived, they found the 11-month-old baby boy had been pulled from a bathtub and was not breathing. Despite emergency efforts, the child was later pronounced dead.
“It was a drowning incident involving an unattended infant,” investigators stated in the affidavit.
Baby Rushed to Hospital, Dies Next Day
Emergency responders transported the child to Le Bonheur Hospital in Jonesboro, approximately 40 miles from Lepanto. Medical staff worked to save the infant, but authorities said the baby succumbed to his injuries the following day.
The death prompted a criminal investigation by the sheriff’s office criminal investigation division.
Timeline Revealed by Investigators
According to investigators, the baby’s mother left the home shortly after Dawson arrived back from work to let her father’s dogs out. At that point, Dawson was responsible for watching all three children.
Police allege Dawson prepared a bath for the infant because the baby was fussy near bedtime, while the couple’s two older children were left playing with a tablet.
Investigators say Dawson placed the baby in the bathtub, then walked away to the kitchen to seat the other children for dinner.
Argument Distracts Father, Police Say
The affidavit states Dawson became involved in an argument with the older children because they did not want to eat dinner.
During the dispute, Dawson allegedly sat down with a bowl of food, later telling investigators that it “slipped” his mind that the baby was still alone in the bathtub.
“He stated that he forgot the baby was in the tub,” investigators wrote.
Dawson told police his wife returned home shortly afterward.
Mother Returns to Running Water
According to the affidavit, when Dawson’s wife returned to the house, she asked why water was still running in the bathroom.
“Oh my God, the baby’s in there,” Dawson allegedly exclaimed.
The parents ran to the bathroom and found the infant facedown in the bathtub and unresponsive, police said. Dawson began performing CPR while his wife called 911.
Investigators noted Dawson repeatedly told officers, “It’s all my fault” and said he forgot the baby was in the tub.
Evidence Collected Inside the Home
During a search of the residence, investigators noted that Dawson’s recliner was located on the opposite side of the house from the bathroom where the drowning occurred, a detail included in the affidavit.
Dawson also voluntarily provided Ring doorbell camera footage, which documented the evening’s timeline:
- Dawson arrived home from work at 6:46 p.m.
- His wife left the house at 6:52 p.m.
- She returned at 7:22 p.m.
- Authorities were called to the residence at 7:24 p.m.
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Arrest Made, Court Date Pending
Dawson was arrested Tuesday on the manslaughter and child endangerment charges. Authorities said he was briefly detained and released approximately 30 minutes later. Jail records did not immediately indicate whether bail conditions were imposed.
A court appearance has not yet been scheduled, and the case remains under review by prosecutors.
Case Highlights Bathtub Drowning Risks
Law enforcement officials emphasized that bathtub drownings can happen quickly and silently, especially with infants.
“Leaving a child unattended in a bathtub for even a short period of time can be deadly,” investigators noted.
The tragic case has drawn renewed attention to child safety and supervision, particularly during routine activities like bath time.
As the legal process unfolds, a community is left mourning the loss of a baby whose life ended in a matter of moments.
What are your thoughts on accountability in cases involving accidental child deaths? Share your perspective in the comments below.
