Mom Charged With Manslaughter In Baby's Drowning
By Mike Wells of The Tampa Tribune
Published: August 29, 2007
TAMPA - A 20-year-old mother has been charged with aggravated manslaughter after she left her 9-month-old son in a bathtub with running water while she conducted a drug deal in her living room, Hillsborough County Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.
Katrina Brooks
On Aug. 3, deputies responded to the drowning of the baby, Gene Vincent Kent, at 10250 Tom Folsom Road.
Katrina Lynn Brooks said she put her son and 2-year-old daughter in the bathtub and turned on the water. She told deputies she then answered a knock at the front door.
Brooks stayed in the living room talking to the visitor for 25 to 30 minutes, Carter said.
The mother told deputies that when she heard the bathtub overflow, she ran and discovered her son floating, Carter said. The child was rushed to University Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Originally, Brooks told investigators the child was in the tub for only a few minutes, but the investigation revealed that he had been left for more than 25 minutes while she was in the living room discussing a marijuana deal with the visitor.
Investigators presented the case to the State Attorney's Office, and a warrant was issued for aggravated manslaughter. Brooks was arrested about 9 p.m. Tuesday at a friend's residence.
The 2-year-old was released to the toddler's father.
Mom Charged With Manslaughter In Baby's Drowning
By Mike Wells of The Tampa Tribune
Published: August 29, 2007
TAMPA - A 20-year-old mother has been charged with aggravated manslaughter after she left her 9-month-old son in a bathtub with running water while she conducted a drug deal in her living room, Hillsborough County Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.
Katrina Brooks
On Aug. 3, deputies responded to the drowning of the baby, Gene Vincent Kent, at 10250 Tom Folsom Road.
Katrina Lynn Brooks said she put her son and 2-year-old daughter in the bathtub and turned on the water. She told deputies she then answered a knock at the front door.
Brooks stayed in the living room talking to the visitor for 25 to 30 minutes, Carter said.
The mother told deputies that when she heard the bathtub overflow, she ran and discovered her son floating, Carter said. The child was rushed to University Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Originally, Brooks told investigators the child was in the tub for only a few minutes, but the investigation revealed that he had been left for more than 25 minutes while she was in the living room discussing a marijuana deal with the visitor.
Investigators presented the case to the State Attorney's Office, and a warrant was issued for aggravated manslaughter. Brooks was arrested about 9 p.m. Tuesday at a friend's residence.
The 2-year-old was released to the toddler's father.
Mom Charged With Manslaughter In Baby's Drowning
