Kid was in the car seat 42 minutes. The chest buckle was up at the throat. >> But both of the babies in the bathtub. >> No, I'm just going to make him do a tummy time now. Don't want to shut up. >> I lifted up the blanket and I noticed he was laying on his face and he was purple. >> What's the bruise on his head? Bruise on his forehead, too. >> It came back. >> He had a bunch of on his head. >> That happened because he has two older siblings. They like to fight. So, if you're covering for him or he's covering for you, that ain't going to fly. I'll charge both. Uh because we have a baby. >> In the United States, some of the most devastating calls officers respond to don't come from scenes in the traditional sense. They come from nurseries, bedrooms, and car seats. Rooms built for safety that became the last place a was ever alive. In this video, officers responded to six different cases where the people trusted to protect a child were the reason help was called at all. Children left in situations no child should be in who stopped breathing under circumstances that didn't add up. A found unresponsive in a bedroom while the adults responsible tried to explain what happened. Each 911 call ended with investigators asking the same question. What really happened in the hours before we arrived different homes, different circumstances, but the same failure at the center of it all. A child who depended entirely on the adults around them and the adults who didn't protect them. On April 18th, 2023, Orange County, Florida, a 911 call came into dispatch after a was found unresponsive in his car seat while the mother was not present. Officers later determined the had been secured in the seat for approximately 42 minutes with the chest buckle positioned near his throat rather than properly positioned across his chest. Fire and rescue crews raced to the scene and immediately began CPR. I'm Jack and this is Unpopular. over here. He has a feeding tube. Come over here, please. Who can give me the most information on him? >> Okay. Okay. Come on. Come over here, brother. Come here. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You know how to put a CPR on? >> Uh, hey, figure it out. >> We'll take care of that. I'm gonna use >> All right. Here, take this off. Cut that. >> You got scissors? >> No. >> Just rip it. >> Just rip it off. >> Do you check to see if you had a pulse? >> Yeah. >> No pulse. >> Okay. This got to go on his back here. Cut that. Yeah. Cut it from here. No breathing, right? No. No. He's on. Put him on the monitor. >> All right. You want me to grab >> No, I know. I'm getting slow down. >> What do you mean? You want this open? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, basically she got him in the car seat and went down the hall. >> No, I when he when she came back in the car seat with the and then the shoulder or the the chest strap >> you got I popped the bag open. >> I know I know it's hard. Are you able to answer the question? >> All right. I just want you to stay back here so it can work. Okay. Please, I'll save my baby. Please. I was down here with my key. Something >> about a car seat. My god. >> Slow down a little bit. >> What do we got? When did we start? >> Can you tell me what happened? >> I was down here. >> I can't talk now. >> It's okay. >> We're at FEMA and she's displaced from a storm. So, we're here doing on-site visits to the people that are still displaced going over her cases. We've tried to give them a new home and she came to her appointment, left and then came back with the child. That's what happened on our end, which she's pretty. >> The had undergone a tracheotomy approximately two years earlier, a procedure in which his windpipe was surgically opened to help him breathe. Officers on the scene were also told he had a follow-up doctor's appointment scheduled for the next day. Given his medical history, the positioning of the car seat's chest strap would prove especially significant. >> I think there's two I think there should be another blue in there. >> Do you know what room they're staying in here? You want to call now? >> Okay. Thank you. >> He has strain stenosis. He has surgery on his trachea. >> Does he eat and breathe normally usually? >> 20 minutes. >> I'm just saying you want to do it in the back of the truck. >> They had to cut his wind pipe open and make it bigger so he could breathe cuz it was closing. >> Yeah. How long ago was that? >> Two years ago. >> Two years ago. >> This two years. supposed to have surgery tomorrow. Put a drink on and just check real quick. >> Tomorrow doctor's appointment tomorrow. >> Okay. >> C3. Papa. >> Papa. >> Is anybody in that room? >> I don't think so. The baby. >> Where's 120 at? >> Down to the right. >> Thank you. >> Can you open the door? >> 120. [screaming] NO, NO, NO, NO. >> My baby's not breathing. Please. Please. >> Okay. So, we just need to drop an airway in. >> Okay, next cycle. Just stop and let me see the rhythm. All right. When you're done with the next cycle, >> please keep that, >> huh? I mean, it's an acceptable point, but only cuz she they have a few other fluids. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Security. >> Make sure we got resistance. We're good. >> Uh, we got a number. >> Squeezes. All right. So, let's >> Oh, actually, no. Hold on. Hold on. You got that up. Just another one. I'm just trying to >> That's to your right. Just keep going, bro. cuz it's going to be a brush to your right. There you go. >> I'm I will need another flush though. >> No. No. >> Hey, I need a suction. >> Suction. >> Yeah. All right. >> We got a French L. >> You got there. 14. >> Yeah. Probably a 14. >> If there's nothing coming out, then um we're going to have to move this two cuz I'm not We're not getting it. We're not getting anything. >> Yeah. You have the no cap. No. >> Yeah, we're not getting no cap. How long did that go? >> No, just like a minute. Probably a minute. >> He was traus stenosis [music] where they had to cut his trap piping clos so they had to cut it open to make it bigger. >> Okay. Was there anything else? Does he have any other funerals and come to court? >> Just a few minutes. He's going to be We're going to get him off to the hospital. Right now, we're doing it for you. Okay. never >> God. [cheering] >> Yes. >> I've got it open, but I just Yeah. or something before before we pick her I'll just suction it one more time just to make sure we get everything out. >> Yeah. Yeah. Take whoever you want. You can take all three. >> That's fine. Oh, take whoever you need. [music] >> It sounds like she had him in a car seat on a chair or something. She left. back and he knows more. [music] >> She made a little >> He told you where they're going to take him? Yeah. >> Arnold Palmer Hospital downtown. You know where it's at? >> I can ride with him. >> Uh, that's up to them. I don't know. >> Can I ride with y'all? >> Can I go with Can I ride with y'all? >> Take it first, >> please. >> You know where Dr. >> I don't know where Dr. Rescue 53 transporting a black male juvenile to Dr. Officers at the scene began reconstructing the circumstances surrounding the child's condition, noting apparent difficulties with the car seats restraints and indications that the had slipped into an unsafe position. Investigators also determined that the mother was inside the building attending a scheduled appointment related to the family's ongoing storm displacement housing case at the time of the incident, ultimately disregarding the child's well-being during that time. The arrest came more than two weeks later after what officers described as a week's long investigation. >> All right, this might be her walk to the car. She came out that side door. Long braids and like a leopard skin shorts. She's going to the car now. >> Yeah, she's still there. We can move in on her. >> Step out. Walk back this way. Come here. Walk towards me. Is there anybody else in the car? >> What am I being arrested for? >> You have a warrant for your arrest. We'll explain everything to you. >> Is there anybody else in your room >> that we can leave your keys with? >> Is your kid in the car? No. >> Why am I under arrest? >> The kid's not in the room, right? Trying to look out for you. That's all. You've got a warrant for your arrest. >> You're going to be going to jail. I just want to make sure that there's no kids in the room. >> Can I call someone? >> Is your phone in the car? >> Okay. Where's it at? >> In the front seat. >> Okay. Is your wallet or ID or anything in there as well? Do you want that to go with you? We're going to take you to the detective and I'm going to explain everything to you. Okay. They're going to explain what your wants for and all that. All right. >> Just put my stuff. >> You have to talk to the detective. Can you watch her? She wants her phone and wallet and stuff. >> Do you have your keys so we can at least lock your car up? Are they already in the car? They're in the car. >> You can't get there, sir. >> Okay. I just want to lock it so nothing happens to it. Okay. >> So, I won't get a bond at all. >> Um, you'll have to see a judge before you get one. The judge can give you one. That first appearance, they can give you a bond. >> Manlaughter on a child. The uh alleged incident was kid was in the car seat 42 minutes. The chest buckle was up at the throat. >> So, it's two charges. >> Yes, I believe so. >> Mom going to jail. They taking me to jail for manslaughter. Come to Orlando and get my keys and my car, my stuff. I don't know when I'm gonna get out. I'll call you back, Mom. >> You said I have a bond, sir. >> Usually, it's usually like 20 grand or less. I say, "Don't hold me till I'll find out." >> What? None on manslaughter? >> At least until you see a judge. >> Got to see a judge first. >> The child. >> That's why she has no bond cuz manslaughter with of a child. This number go with her to room 202. I'll leave them the key to your car. Put your purse down low so no it's not visible. Okay. >> And you said Jojo is going to come pick up. >> Adrien Stokes. Okay. Anything on you don't even deal with? Hold the charge. I heard a warrant. >> You got something tucked or stuck somewhere? Time to tell me. >> Grab a seat. >> Yeah. I just emailed you the warrant cuz it's not in the uh not in the system when you run. So I emailed you the hard copy. >> Okay. Okay. >> I guess C didn't enter it into teletype. Yeah. >> They wanted to talk to, right? >> No. No. Straight to BRC. Straight warrant. straight to BRC. Uh, they're taking your phone as evidence is what they said. >> The mother was taken into custody on May 4th, 2023. She was charged with aggravated of a child, aggravated with a firearm mischief, negligence, and five counts of child just over a year and 4 months later and nearly,200 miles away, officers encountered a home where the danger wasn't a lapse in supervision, but something far more sudden. Unlike the previous case where a caregivers's absence created a fatal gap, this time the person responsible was in the room the entire time. On August 15th, 2024 at Gage County, Nebraska, officers responded to a residence after a four-month-old baby stopped while being watched by his mother's boyfriend. The investigation expanded after officers discovered signs the had been hurt, disturbing messages about the and additional allegations involving a minor. We literally woke up to Austin coming in and letting us know that he wasn't breathing. >> Which one's Austin? >> The taller one. >> The guy outside here. Who's Austin? Does he live here, too? Or >> Yes, that's her fiance. >> Is he the dad or just >> he's the boyfriend? >> His new boyfriend. Okay. And so you live here just Okay. And you're Austin? >> Austin. >> And you're the one that found the baby? >> I mean, I was laying in bed with him and he was fine. And just trying to do tummy time cuz he was a little fussy due to upset stomach. So, I've noticed a swaddle and tummy time tends to help. and I just put him on his tummy. It was The issue is that I think it was in one of these divots in here, this little circle piece. I don't have a sheet currently. I think his nose ended up wiggling right into one of the flat spots. So, he didn't have, you know, and to be honest, like I said, it was about 10 15 minutes of in between of me checking on him. So, >> and is this her baby as well? >> Yes, Alexander. >> And none neither one of them are yours, right? >> No, stepdad. >> Just step dad's trying to be the best dad for him as all. >> Hi, baby. What's the bruise on his head? >> He's a little rambunctious guy and loves jumping up and down on beds and will sprint back and forth in there. How long How long has he had that bruise? >> Tell me a couple days. >> Who else lives here? Has anybody talked to you? Uh an officer or anything? Get your name? What is your name? >> Ashlin. >> Ash. Ashlin. Okay. What's your last name? Ashlin. >> Tyel. >> Tyel. Okay. Can you tell me about this morning? >> I was at work. >> Till what time? >> Took. >> Okay. So, how did you get called? >> Austin called. >> Okay. What did Austin say? that he was unresponsive and he's been trying to wake him up and it's not working and then I need to come home. >> Okay. So, you came home and then what happened? >> He was unresponsive. So, I started doing CPR and called your friends. >> Okay. How long do you think you were doing CPR before you called? Do you know? >> Okay. >> Not too long. >> Okay. Can you tell me what time you left for work this morning? >> 6:30. >> And when you left for work this morning, where what is your son's name? >> Andrew. >> Andrew. Where was Andrew when you left for work this morning? >> Asleep in bed. >> In his bed. >> In his bed. Where is his bed? >> Next to my bed. >> Is it the play pin on the floor? >> One of them now. >> So he was in that play pen when you left. Okay. And and then your other boy is an uh >> Alexander. And where was Alexander when you left? >> Asleep in his bed. >> Okay. Can we look on your phone and see what time um Austin called you? See what time that he called you on your cell phone? >> 11:54. >> 11:54. before he called you. Okay. So, he says he was doing tummy time with him and he couldn't wake him up. What was his words? >> Andrew was doing tummy time in our room and he went in to change Bubba and noticed that he wasn't responding. He wasn't moving or talking. So, he tried to wake him up and it wasn't working. >> How old is he? >> He's almost 4 months. >> Did you Did anybody say we should call 911 or anything? Did that cross your mind at all? >> Not at first. >> Not at first. Okay. And then when you got home, where where was he? >> On our bed. >> He was on the bed. Was he on his tummy or his back? >> His back. >> What did you do at first? >> I moved him to the floor, started CPR, and called you guys. >> The mother told officers she had left for work that morning, leaving her boyfriend to care for her two children. Around noon, he called saying the was unresponsive. She rushed home, found the on the bed, began CPR, and contacted emergency services after arriving. Can you show us exactly where baby was laying when you found >> I'll just hop up here because I was actually laying in bed with him for a little bit. >> Okay. >> I was right here roughly just on my phone laying out. He was about here to here and his head was about here and he's just he was chilling just moving around little things you know about a good 10 15 minutes in I'm sitting there and he stands up and he's kind of like I need a butt change. So stood up tried helping him out and he just kept looking at brother like so I got up and tried moving him and seeing if he was responsive and he wasn't. know it was no more than 5 10 minutes of him being unresponsive max cuz I literally just made him a bottle 10 15 minutes prior. Tried feeding him, tried doing the normals, nothing. Then I put him on his stomach and he was just like oo pressure on my stomach relief. So I just kind of let him be and he just did the normal shoulder movement eh move head >> and he didn't want any of the bottle. >> I mean he didn't take any of it. >> I made a 4 oz bottle and it looks like it's about still 4 oz. So he didn't take but maybe a sip or two. >> He never vomited or anything like that? >> No. That's why I checked his diaper as soon as I realized he was unresponsive to make sure he didn't defecate or anything like that. Uh, it wasn't wet to the touch or anything like that. So, his bowels didn't just drain or nothing. >> Is Jason biological dad? >> Yes. >> You don't think you rolled over on him or anything? >> It to be honest with you, I just took a bus ride back, so I'm pretty exhausted. I took a two-day bus ride. I might have had my big leg roll over on him a little bit, but I'm not entirely sure. I don't think I did. I didn't feel any warmth or any skin on skin when I was half asleep, but I I don't know. >> There's a lot of potential. >> Yeah, absolutely. The other child bruises on his forehead, too. >> Blood. What's that all about? >> Where do you see it? >> There was blood here. There's blood underneath here. Also, some sort of tension. >> Had Austin called you at any time between 6:30 and 11 when you left and 11:54 when he called you? >> No, but we were texting on and on. >> Okay. Anything in those texts that mention anything about anything about the kids at all? >> A lot. That Bubba had a granola bar for breakfast. Andrew ate a bottle and was fussy. So yesterday was fussy. >> Andrew was fussy yesterday. Is that unusual? >> Kind of. Do you have >> I do. I have a grandson, too. >> That sound they make when they got a burp. >> Okay. >> He was constantly making that sound. Even trying to burp from this way, that way, that way, this way. >> Okay. Um, I got a lot of burps out of him last night. So, I figured, okay, he just had a lot of burps in there and that's why he was fussy. >> Okay. >> So, when we stop, I think we're going to stop. Do you want mom and dad to come in right away? Do we want to wait? What do you guys want? Cuz I'm sure this is an evidentiary with everything. So, what do you guys want? >> Like to get some pictures before mom and dad come in. [laughter] >> Don't touch me. >> Okay. I was going to see if you needed somebody. You don't need anybody. My sister's all the way. >> Okay. What's your sister's name? >> Cassie. >> Okay, >> Austin. Right. >> Yeah. >> All right. Come over here for a second. All right. >> What's up? >> There's a lot of concern right now because Andrew, right? Yes. The baby. There's a lot of bruising on that baby. >> I've told the other officer. So, I panicked when he stopped. Wasn't responsing. I tapped the head trying to >> the These aren't taps. >> I didn't do anything else besides tap. And the Cclamp on I did yesterday. He got a lot of hair from on him. Stuck to him dust being sweaty. So, I did C clamp underneath. Uh, as for the cutting right there, it wasn't a cut. It was from my nails. I recently cut him because of that. I would uh he'd put his pacifier in. He would have it there and wouldn't take. So, I'd lift his jaw and I used to just do it with a thumbnail, not thinking. Other than that, I the bruising on his forehead is from a couple days ago from his brother spiking a cup on him. I mean, I wasn't even here for that. I was out of state, actually. I don't know that there'd be any other thing besides another scratch on his stomach from my thumbnail or pinky nail or something. >> Well, I appreciate that. So, we're going to go figure out, I guess, where we go from here, cuz I got to be honest with you, we're we're thinking that somebody may have caused this, >> right? And can I at least see Ashlin here soon to comfort her, more or less. >> Uh, she's not here. >> I know, but she's at the hospital, which is where we are routed to, until we were called over here. >> Yeah, we we'll see if we can facilitate that. So, I'm assuming we're going to wait until the autopsy until if we should make any arrests or anything, the autopsy is going to probably determine that. As officers documented the scene, they observed on the infant and began treating the as potential criminal. The boyfriend attributed the physical harm done to accidental scratches, tapping the child while trying to wake him and other innocent causes. However, an autopsy later determined the suffered nonacal trauma, including in multiple areas of the head and ribs. According to court records, the findings were consistent with shaken baby syndrome. >> Bodad is Jason Richards. He's here. Jason said the last time he saw the baby was August 10th. He babysat him or he had him. He had took a picture of him that day. He showed me that picture. Baby, no on his face. Between that date and today, both mom and Austin have sent him pictures on Snapchat of the baby. He showed me those pictures. I was able to look at them. I didn't see any bruises. He saved them so we can look at it. I was told that the roommate said that the older boy has had the bruise on his head for a while. I went in to ask mom about the scene and I said, "Oh, how long has he had that bruise on his head?" And she said he got it yesterday when he fell down at home. >> Saturday, >> he didn't have any of these bruises on Saturday. >> I mean, that's a lot of bruises for a short time frame. >> I want to talk to you mom to mom, okay? I know it sucks that you have all these cops asking me questions. I believe me, I get it. But we want to do what's best for your son. Okay? We want to figure out what happened, why it happened, and how it happened. And to do that, we have to ask him these questions, sweetie. >> If you look at the situation, we have Austin was the person taking care of him at that time. We probably can't have Austin around Alexander for a while until we know what happened. Does that make sense? >> Mhm. >> So, I did get a hold of the funeral home. So, they're going to come get him. Okay. And then they'll go to and then I need mom's phone number. So, they'll be contacting you then. Okay. >> More than 4 months later, investigators reinterviewed the mother after the case expanded beyond the infant's during the investigation. Authorities also examined allegations involving a 15-year-old girl who had babysat for the family. Investigators questioned the mother about her relationship. The girl's involvement with the household and events that ultimately led to additional charges. >> As far as the proper interview goes, there's obviously some things that that, you know, we'd like to get accomplished. There's some things that you'd like to get accomplished. Okay. So basically, you know, the the charges that we want to cover are off obviously um the child um resulting and then uh um Okay. Those are the two things that I'm you know, the only road I'm going to go down. Okay. Had you ever dated Austin? >> Not up until now. >> Not up until now. >> Okay. Did you know Austin is that type dealer? I guess to be blunt. No. >> No. >> Did you ever purchase any or anything from him? No. Okay. I'm not saying that you were user or anything like that. just, you know, trying to go out, you know, go down the relationship to be blunt. Would you consider Austin manipulative >> at times? Yeah. >> At times. How long were you dating before you decided to move in with each other? >> A couple months. >> Two months. And during that time, everybody good and trained on how to take care of Andrew along with Alexander. Any outside help with the children? >> Okay. Babysitters. >> How many different babysitters, you think? >> Two. >> Two. And who are the babysitters? >> Harley and Dixie. How would you get a hold of him? Text him. >> Why do you think that uh you know you needed to babysit with Austin? >> Because Austin was worried with how small Angry was. He was scared he was going to hurt him. >> Why? >> Cuz he's so big. >> Cuz he's big. Would he holding him like laying there? I guess >> he'd hold him, but he'd be really stiff and Okay, take him. >> Yeah. Okay. And were you like, "Okay, I understand that you're big. I'm afraid of you holding my child, too." Is that or were you like what? >> I get it. >> So when you would go and it would just be Austin, would you call Harley and Dixie? >> I'd pass it. >> Who was more good about come over? Was it Harley or Dixie? Who was more reliable? >> Dixie. >> Some tough questions. Dixie come over. How old's Dixie? >> 15. >> 15. >> 16 now. >> 16. Okay. Would Austin ever message Dixie or Harley about coming over to babysit? >> If I was busy. >> If you were busy. Okay. Were you okay with that? >> With him talking to them? So Parley would come over, correct? >> Obviously, you know, as far as some of the allegations go, at what point would the relationship with Harley start developing? When you notice there could be some type of relationship between Austin and her, >> them just sitting too close. >> Did it bother you? >> Cuz you were cheated on once before, correct? And so, do you notice some flirting? >> Not directly. >> Not directly. What about Did you see any messages? >> I've seen notifications >> from Harley on his phone. >> A lot of notifications. Yeah. >> So, at what point in time did you know that there was a relationship between Harley and Austin? >> Not for sure on an exact date. >> Do you remember when it was like bing? What triggered it? >> A message. >> What was the What did the message say? >> I don't remember exactly, but it was >> in nature >> or was it a picture? Did you see his messages, too? Okay. Can I ask you a hard question? You left one boyfriend right when you knew that he was cheating on you. Why wouldn't you have left Austin at that point in time? >> Cuz he treated me and the boys really good. >> Did you guys get in an argument? >> Mhm. >> But you you're okay with it? >> He said he'd stop. >> When did you find out that he didn't stop? >> A couple weeks later. >> Did you see another message or maybe a picture? Was it on Snapchat or was it a text? Snapchat. >> Snapchat. I'm gonna put this bluntly. You were okay with him cheating on you because he treated the boys okay. Am I correct? >> Yeah. >> So, when you were in the argument, would he get upset that you were mad? >> Did you find that odd? >> Kind of. >> Would you consider him controlling? A >> little bit. >> Was there anybody else he was talking to? >> Not that I know of. >> Had you seen these? As far as showing you those, I'm not looking for a reaction. It just shows to me what he thought of you versus anybody else. How old was Harley? >> 15. >> 15. The mindset of Austin to be able to share a picture with I'm assuming you guys loved each other. Correct. You say you loved each other. Do you believe he loved you? I'm I'm asking not not just based on that. >> I thought he did. >> Does that show somebody maybe a little different than what you thought? I'm not looking you for you to go down that road. I'm asking because I want to know your logic. I want to know honestly to put a blend I want to know your common sense. You know how you feel, how you see it. Do you see it the same as I do? Do you see it the same as you know investigator party? How did it get sold to you that this was okay and that you should join it? >> Austin said >> okay. So I'm trying to put it in how I perceive it. So he's like, "Hey, this is what I need. I have to have this." Tell me how that conversation went. >> He basically told me that he's not a monogous person and if he doesn't get Then he's going to kill himself. >> But you didn't know all this was happening in the background. Correct. Did he tell you that we're not going to do this anymore without you or how did that go down? >> Just that they wouldn't do it behind. >> Were you okay with them doing it in front of you? >> Not really. >> Did you ever have threesome with them? Okay. How many times? >> Once. >> Once. Tell me how that got planned out, >> Austin. >> What did he say? >> He wanted it for his birthday. >> How did that conversation go? >> He told me that he wanted a some for his birthday. >> So you were okay with watching him have sex with another girl. Am I correct? >> Having with me and another girl? >> And another girl. And so at some point in time you're like, "Okay, yeah, I'm okay with this." And so was there a plan for that night? What was the plan >> for her to come over? >> Um do you know how old she was? >> 15. >> 15. Did that bother you at all? Okay. Did you know that it was probably illegal? Okay. And so that that didn't stop you. And why? >> Austin wanted it. >> Austin wanted it. Okay. Did he tell you his fantasy of what he wanted done of how he wanted it done before she came over and you were okay with that? Why >> he wanted it? >> He wanted his right foot. >> Okay. Would you classify it as you were okay with it or would you say that it was something you had to do to keep him? Because that's the feeling I've got from talking to you. It wasn't something you wanted to do because it was something that Austin wanted. Did he threaten himself a lot? Do you ever know of any attempts? [snorts] >> What attempt? >> Uh, he tried to strangle himself in OD. >> OD on what? >> His meds. >> His meds. What kind of meds was he on? >> Uh, I don't remember all of them, but he was on lithium. >> Lithium. Okay. >> A couple. >> Did he tie a noose? >> Used a belt. >> Used a belt. Did you catch him? >> I stopped him both. >> You stopped him both times. Do you believe if you wouldn't have stopped him, he wouldn't have stopped himself? >> Okay. So, she comes over. Did you have anything to drink? Loosen you up. Did you have some Delta maybe to make things a little bit better, easier? What about him? He >> I think so. Yeah. >> Delta. Any alcohol? >> Maybe. I don't remember. >> You don't remember? Okay. Did he guide it? Okay. Did you guys start out in the living room or was it straight to the bedroom? He went on for a little bit. >> And did what? Did he's like, "Hey, start kissing. You know, I want to watch you, too." >> He just started kissing me. >> He started kissing you. Okay. >> He stopped and started kissing her. >> At this some point in time, are you watching this and are okay with it? >> And then I was watching. >> Okay. And what was your mindset? It bother you >> for him? >> I portray myself sitting there watching my wife kiss somebody else and I have like my heart sinks. Correct. Did you have any of that feeling? Did it? So, >> it bothered me >> with the type of person I know what I believe that you are. I think it would bother you. Okay. At any point in time, did clothes come off? >> We went upstairs first. >> You went upstairs first. Okay. And the babies >> were downstairs. >> They were okay. Okay. One was in his high chair. So, the three of you go upstairs to whose bedroom was it? Christina's or Austin's? Austin. He still had a bedroom there. Okay. just go ahead and guide me down how it all went down. >> Austin and I started kissing, taking each other's clothes off. He started kissing Harley, taking her clothes off. >> At any point in time, were you kissing Harley? >> Okay. Were you guys kissing each other? All three at the same time, like back and forth. Was heing you, touching your fondling you? Okay. Were you at some point in time, I'm assuming all of you were >> Okay. Were you seeing watching him fondle Harley? Was he touching her? >> Okay. Was he Did you see that? >> Not that I saw. >> Not that you saw. Um Did you ever >> I put on her? >> You put on her? Okay. So, as far as foreplay goes, um was there >> on Austin? >> On Austin by you >> and Harley. >> And Harley. Okay. So, she gave >> Okay. And were you guys going back and forth together? Okay. At some point in time, does he start having sex with her first or you? >> Her. >> Her. Where were you at while they were having? >> On his face. >> On his face. Okay. So, she was on top of him and then you were sitting on his face and he was giving you >> Okay. Did Harley look like she was enjoying herself? Okay. She enjoyed it. Did Austin Okay. Where did he >> Harley? >> In Harley. Okay. So that kind of ended it and that was while he was on top of her >> or I'm sorry she was on top of him. Okay. And at this point in time you're sitting on his face, right? >> Was there conversation after? >> I don't know. I got up and got dressed cuz Andrew was fussing. >> Andrew started fussing. So at any point in time was he fussing during the middle of it? Could you hear him? >> Okay. You noticed it at the end. >> Okay. What about Alexander? He was chill. So you get dressed and you go downstairs. Awkwardness. Was there any awkwardness afterwards with you? Was Austin okay with it? >> Seemed like they were okay with it. >> Hardly talk about it like, "Hey, that was great." >> He just said it was good. >> You said it was good. Okay. Did you feel used by Austin? Did you ever talk to him about that? >> No. >> No. Why not? >> If you want to see some of these, I can show them to you. But he goes on to talk about how he's going to leave you. They're talking about her possibly being pregnant. He says, "Here, I'm cheating to talk to you, and if she's not pregnant, they're going to try again." >> The messages that she saw you were basically led up to the point where Austin had gotten a hold of you about something that had happened. Did he phone call? Did he snap you? Did he >> all of the above? >> All of the above. >> He tried calling me. He snapped me. He texted me. Basically told me I needed to answer. And so I answered and he told me that Andrew wasn't responding. He wasn't waking up and it didn't seem like he was breathing. >> Okay. And this was during a phone conversation. I'm not privy to a lot of this. Was this a Snapchat? Was it a Facebook call or just a call from phone to phone? >> Phone. >> Phone to phone. Okay. So he he says, "Hey, something's going on." Did he tell you he's not breathing? >> Not responding. >> Not responding. Okay. Did he make any sort of statement like, "Hey, I don't know what happened." Or did he say how it could have happened? How Andrew is not being responsive at that point in time? >> He said, "I don't know what happened. I just woke up." >> How did you reply? >> I said, "Calm down. Call 911. Let me talk to my boss cuz I'll be on my way in a minute." >> So, you told him to call 911 right away. >> Okay. And what did he say? >> Hurry up. >> Did he say, "I'm calling 911?" >> No. >> Did he say, "I'm not calling 911?" I don't remember if you guys ever did not. >> Okay. Did you think about calling 911? Were you like, "Boy, he's not going to call 911." >> I kind of assumed he would call. I was speeding. >> You were speeding? Yeah, of course. Right. How many times do you think you told him to call 911? >> Two or three? >> Two or three. >> The mother told investigators she repeatedly instructed her boyfriend to call 911 after he reported the was unresponsive. Instead, he continued calling her while she drove home. Investigators later confronted her with evidence that contradicted his account, including phone activity, suggesting he had not simply awakened before finding the infant. >> You get to the house. Come running inside. Where's Andrew? >> On my bed. >> On your bed. Did you ask Austin? Did you call 911? >> Has anybody called 911? What does Austin say? >> No. >> What's Austin saying? >> He's answering my questions that the 911 person asked. I didn't know. >> And this time you get there, you perform CPR. Austin doesn't call 911. You confronted him about that >> after everything happened. >> After everything happened and he just says, "My focus was on calling you." Did you ever think that was right? Did you ever think, "No, there's more to this." >> I mean, I understand the thought process of calling the mom, but the mom is telling you to call 911, so why didn't you? >> And what did he say? >> I don't call 911. >> And what did you think about that? >> That was >> Was there any talk about what had happened between you and Austin? He apologized. >> What did he apologize for? >> Just the fact that he was gone. >> He didn't apologize for anything else. Do you believe Austin your child? >> At first I didn't. >> Do you remember the conversation you guys had that morning? Okay. Cuz he's he told you he just woke up. But according to Snapchat, he has been Snapchatting people for the last hour before you got home. So that tells us he's not sleeping. So he says, "I'm just leaving. I'm not qualified to take care of kids. And to be honest, I feel like it's the only reason you have me around is to use me as a babysitter for the kids. I don't even mind. I love them. My heart hurts, but hurts even more with them not actually being mine. And you said, "That's not why I have you around." And he responds and says, "I feel like it is when all I seem to do is take care of the boys and get so okay, babe. Babysitter and your babysitter." And you said, "That's not why." He says, "So the money or you want my kid next or on to the next baby daddy? Me and Bubba are you when when you're off?" And he says, "I love you, Ash. And our son, me and our son are doing that today." So that still kind of confuses me about the convers the message shortly before this about Bubba and him you when you're off because I know you guys refer to Alexander as Bubba and then he responds again four minutes later. I love you Ash and me and our son are doing that today. Does that message about being make any sense? So that that message has bothered me since the first time I've ever seen these. And the same time he's messaging Harley. Do you see what Bane looks like in that picture? Do you see any bruising on him? >> Do you remember when this picture was taken? I don't remember the exact I took it. >> Did Bean look like that on the 15th when you left for work? >> And where did those that bruising come from? >> Austin. >> So you say there was bruising on the head from Austin. What happened? >> Austin said that there was a hair down his throat. So he had to hold his head to get it out. >> There was a hair down his throat, so he had to hold his head to get it out. Did you believe him? >> Yeah. Because his swaddle, his wrap thing is fleece and it traps a lot of hair. >> So he held him hard enough to get a hair from his throat. Okay. >> Did you see being in the hospital that day? Did he look like that when you left that morning for work? Okay. So, does that tell you that something happened in that time frame? Do you want to know how Austin has been talking to Harley after the baby passed away? Do you want to see them or you just want me to tell you? >> Tell me. >> Okay. He's annoyed about how much you're crying. feels like he has to walk on eggshells. And so that also goes alongside of what we have read through these messages and seen as somebody if I'm I'm with somebody in a relationship and I lose my child, I'm going to tell you right there, if I if you have no support there for me, then he never cared about that baby in the first place. There's no way you can move on that quick from losing a child and not be crying. >> You told him three times to call 911 and he says, "I don't call cops." He tells you he does not want to go back to prison. while you're there with your child. You didn't know any of what was going on in the background and we know that. Do you know about his cell phone that he had Brady get rid of? What do you know about it? >> That Austin asked Brady to get rid of [music] it so he can get a little bit of money on our books. >> Did he tell you this or did he tell you this through Christina? >> Through Brady. >> Through Brady. >> The day that you guys were arrested, there was also a search warrant served for Austin cell phone. Did Austin produce? >> I was at work. So I don't know. >> Were those there before you left that morning? >> A couple of them. >> All of them. What in were there? But when you left >> he had a bruise around his mouth from Alexander and then on his side. >> Okay. What weren't there? >> The officer pointed up some bruises on his legs. >> On his legs. Okay. >> These are your guys' text messages from that day at 7:10 in the morning. Bean's pissing me off, but I'm about to get up and leave. I told I'm not watching him specifically anymore. They don't like waking up to help. I'm assuming he's talking about >> shy. >> Shy and Brady. And you said to put them in their bed if he needs to. No, I'm just going to make him do a tummy time now. Don't want to shut up. I'll just make him lay on his stomach and have less oxygen either. You're going to pass the out and I'm going to roll you on your back. You're going to lift it, Laya, and figure it out. Do you remember those messages? >> 7:12. Right off the bat, you say, "Okay." And then he says, "Woke up to May again. Took him out to cuddle just from scream, but now that he's on his stomach, he's just barely wiggling his head. I I still see him breathing, so I'm not too concerned, but he's not yelling anymore." So, I mean, this is at 7:13 in the morning. It's pretty early in that day. And you said, "I was hoping I got all the burps out last night. He had a lot. I'm glad he's quiet." And he said, "I mean, asleep or quiet cuz he's on his stomach." Like I said, I'm pretty sure he passed out due to the fact that he wants to keep yelling at me like a and I have his arms halfway out of his his one thing. So, I mean, he can pick himself up. He's just choosing to be a and cry about everything instead of picking himself up. So, I'm going to let him pass out more or less and then rolling him over and see if he's still alive and awake. And he cries at me again. So, I just put him back on his belly and he's content and he just keeps sobbing into the bed. That's at 7:18 in the morning. Would you consider him being frustrated with the baby at that point? >> I know he had certain nicknames for the kids. Was a normal nickname for >> he's frustrated. >> He's frustrated. Okay. Cuz I know he calls Alexander. >> Okay. >> That's comes from my sister. >> Okay. Well, personally, I'm going to tell you that's not an appropriate thing to call a 2-year-old. you know, it's not going to make anybody look good. You said he'll be fine. Stay on his tummy. You don't have to roll him over. That seems to be the only thing to help. And he says, "I just don't want him more hurt. I may have just seen Bubba's in the air, so I may have smacked it and hurried up and hopped in bed. He just woke up so confused." I'm going to Can I be honest with you about something? That day, I was still a school resource officer and my boss asked me if I could bring a phone up or a camera up to the hospital and I didn't know why I was going up to the hospital. Okay, I'm a mom. Still didn't quite know. Talked to the the officer that was on scene. Asked if she needs help with anything and she walks me into the room and I see your son laying there. That is not an easy thing to see. Nine years working down here. That is my first baby that I had seen deceased. I don't want to reshow you, but I think you need to see. And I also want you to show us what bruising that you remember being there as opposed to the hospital when you left for work that day. >> Did his face look like that? before you left for work. >> No. >> But what you can't see in this picture is he also has scratching underneath his chin. He has bruising back here. There's bruising on his limbs. I've had children. They've been two months old or four months old before. They don't move around enough to get self-sustained bruises on limbs and stuff like that. >> You know, we hear it constantly. The cops are just out to get me. Cops are just out to get me. We just try to get to the truth and how we see it and how I believe how you can see it today. Do you want to take her? I'll have a cigarette and then we'll probably I think we're pretty close to being finished and we'll go from there. >> The man pleaded not guilty to committing CA resulting in firstdegree SA and committing SA. The woman was also charged with firstdegree SA. The arrest affidavit related to the assault investigation remain sealed. Just over 3 months later and nearly 550 mi away, officers arrived at a home shaped by a very different kind of history. Unlike the previous case, where investigators worked to untangle what happened during a single caregivers's hours alone with a child, this family had already been through months of separation and reunification with unresolved questions about who could be trusted around the children in the first place. On November 27th, 2024, Curry County, New Mexico, officers were called after a one-year-old boy was found when his mother returned from preparing Thanksgiving dinner. The child had been in foster care for 11 months and had returned to his mother's care about a month earlier. >> Miss Phillips, my name is Officer Harrington. This is Officer Reyes. You understand? In situations like this, we have to visit with you. You understand all that? >> Can you tell me what happened today with the baby? >> I gave him his breathing trip because he had a doctor as clear. He was breathing poorly. No fever, no coughing, no wheezing. The plane go and fed him dinner. Gave him his bath. >> You said foster parents. >> Yes, they I'm currently fighting state random like the whole child. >> And you're you're birth mother too. >> I'm the birth mother of Kian. That's how you say his name. And then so then what happened with you said he was playing normally and stuff. >> Then we fed his we fed him dinner [snorts] and then we gave him his bath. I got him lthered in his lotion cuz he has dry skin because of his I got him dressed put him in his cripp his floppy pillow which is a normal thing that infants use. >> Yeah. >> And I lay them on his back as a sleep safe and our case is still open. I'm going through every step that I know to make sure they stay home and not get too. And after we fell asleep and he was breathing and then I went to go stir the mashed potatoes. was cooking Thanksgiving dinner and when I came back he wasn't breathing and I went through the classes on his asthma. He had to stop breathing for a short period of time and they give him CPR mouth to mouth or give I give him to a warm bath cuz he start his blow again. I did all three of those and those didn't work. So I called 911 at the same time getting out of the bath and I covered him with the jacket and ran outside because [laughter] they said ambulance would be within five minutes and it was taking longer and my mother thinks just kicked in. The longer that it takes the longer he doesn't breathe. So I jumped in the car and started it to take off and then that's when the ambulance pulled up as soon as I turn my headlights off. I got out of my car and left everything in there, keys and everything. I ran to the ambulance. >> How long? [snorts] 8 minutes and they they said he was responding and they got a pulse and then I don't know from the time to hear it just stopped again and they couldn't get it started. >> So he's had a history of respiratory problems. >> He's a history and being in and out of the hospital during his entire infancy while being in foster care and we only got told only when he was in the hospital on the respirator. >> So how long was he in foster care? >> 11 months. >> So since he was born. >> Yes. He got ripped away from me 2 days after he was born. >> Okay. I just went in there and took a look at him and noticed that he had a bunch of bruising on his head. That was pretty >> have him because he has two older siblings. They like to fight over him. I have him on the floor trying to crawl or get uh ready to stay on the walk. And [snorts] his sister likes to play with him normally, but his brother is three, so he's a little too playful. He doesn't know the meaning of be easy cuz he used to play with other three-year-olds. >> Those bruises are pretty significant. It's all over the side of his head. He fell and hit cuz he was standing up pulling himself up on the toy shelf and I don't know if he lost his balance or or grabbed him to pull down so he wouldn't get hurt and he hit his face. >> What kind of concerns did Dr. U Vickers have after he saw the bruisings and stuff? >> He just had concerns about what happened. Just told him trying to fight over which one can >> when you got Kian back from foster care. What kind of condition was he in? very lee and couldn't breathe and stuffy nose. That's why I made his appointment that same day and got seen the same day. We were prescribed the other asthma treatment from Dr. Vis which helped clear up the flu in his lung. >> And the other two children were they did they remain in your care or did they go into foster fost? >> Did they all go to the same house? >> Yep. And when that happened, my daughter went from a happy baby and pretty healthy to she lost weight and ended up with ammonia. >> Did Kayen have any bruises on his head when you got him back a month ago? Uh, no. And I don't know if the resource parents did anything about it, but then when we got him back and we seen that, we uh started teaching them that's a no no or a discipline or put them in timeout if they get too frag that night that that happened. >> So, you don't think that somebody else caused the bruising on the side of his head besides your other? >> No. In fact, it was one of our other two cuz they like to play Russia fight for them. >> Okay. >> Like they try to fight which one to hold them in play. Was anybody doing CPR on the baby before you got hold of him? >> You were when the EMS was Was the baby still warm to the touch? >> No, he was warm to the touch. >> Was he limp? >> His arms were >> his arms. Had he turned blue already? >> His lips still turning blue. >> How come he was in custody state? >> Because when he was born, I was I have a problem with me, but I've got the medication under control and I got help. I haven't used since they ripped him out of my arms in this hospital. Nonetheless, >> where does your husband have? >> He's at home with the other two. >> He's at the home with the other two kids. >> My other instincts kicked in. He didn't even know what was going on. It happened too fast. I took >> So, he doesn't know what's going on. >> He knows what's going on, but he didn't know what I was doing cuz another instinct kicked in. >> And how old were the other two again? >> My oldest is three and my daughter's two. >> Okay. >> So, the baby was with CYFD. >> Yep. For 11 months from the day he was born to until October 23rd. >> Okay. What we're going to do, they you've given them permission for us to go to the house. They'll give you a ride to the house and we're going to follow. What we're going to do when we get there, we're going to go through a series of stuff where you're going to place the baby like you found the baby when you put to sleep. And this [clears throat] is stuff we have to go through since it's an infinite past, okay? Nobody's judging or anything else. Just try and be honest with us, okay? Cuz we're going to be taking pictures as we go. >> Did he have an addiction as well? >> No. Well, he drinks occasionally, but he hasn't been drinking. We only drink on special occasions which is his birthday of mine and we always make sure my mom he had to watch the kids. >> Did they tell you what what it was that he had? >> Yeah, the asthma >> just was that just asthma. >> It developed into asthma after being on a breeding machine to breathe for him his entire life. That's why he don't like doctors but he was born healthy for strong lungs. So I don't know what the point of like what happened. And the same with my daughter. She was healthy. She was chubby in the cheeks. And then next time I seen her on Christmas if I have my phone to show you. She lost weight and to me it felt like she was fragile. I was afraid to pick her up without snapping her. >> And she ended up having from one pain guy to a cold to ammonia all in one day. And then my oldest had bronchitis which he shouldn't have gotten again cuz he had it for 6 months and I nicked that up. So I don't know what the lost parents were doing but all three of my kids end up getting sick and the health was uh deteriorating. you know, have has he ever been hit with anything, whether something on a shelf that fell down and hit him also, anything like that? >> I have those organized. >> Okay. >> And I make sure his siblings don't hit him or aren't too rough with them cuz I put if they try to get too rough or they start fighting really aggressively over him to a point where he gets really upset, I give him time out cuz I don't know what the foster parents did if they just let them do whatever. >> But they've literally went from listening to me to fighting for him back. And so they're slowly learning to finally listen again. Investigators confirm the infant spent his first 11 months in foster care before being returned to his mother's custody about one month before this incident. She tells officers she found him after stepping away to cook and that resuscitation attempts failed before paramedics arrived. Officers also noted on the child's head, which she attributes to rough play with his older siblings. With that account on record, investigators head to the family's residence to continue the investigation. Serious they have to do that. They have to find out >> have a seat because we do not want to escalate this. This is not a good time. We get it. Okay. Just have a seat. >> We will explain things right there. Don't sit on the baby. Sit down. I already told you about this. I talked to you about Sit down. Sit down. Calm down now, honey. Okay. I already told you. Calm down. I know this is hard. Seriously, >> I know this is hard, but you don't have to act like that. Okay, this is something they have to do. >> Yeah, I'll go ahead. Okay. >> Okay. Just just stay right there. >> Just don't do it. >> Okay. Chill out. Stay right there. There's no need for you to act like that. I talked to you about this already. >> Okay. >> Yeah, Mom. >> Okay. Chill out. Stay right there. Sorry about that. >> That's okay. >> It's like weirdly clean. >> All right. We're going to go back in the hospital. Okay. I I hate saying by law we have to do it. >> Yeah, I I understand. >> I mean, get the business. >> No, just get the out my house. >> Chill out. >> Just get the out my house. >> You're scaring the baby. Chill out now. >> Okay. >> You don't need to act like that. >> No, just get the out of my house. >> Chill out. >> What? Get out of your >> Please. He's watching. You guys sitting here. >> They're here to investigate me. Okay, now sit down. >> I don't give a >> You should be here for the babies. Quit acting like that. No reason to act like that. Can we continue, please? >> So, the next thing that we're going to want to do, are you okay with watching the kiddos >> right now? >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> So, we'd like to talk to these guys at the PD. If you're okay with watching the kids, we have to talk to him, too. >> He's under the imp right now to speak. I mean, he can still tell us though. >> He's got more anger on him right now. >> We understand. We We totally do. Even something minor that you tell us, bro. Like, it could help us a lot. Okay. I understand the whole alcohol. I I got it. >> Yeah. But like being under the influence [snorts] is not the right time to answer any questions right now. >> I can I can go honestly. >> Well, we got to take you guys. Okay. So, you not wanting to talk to us? >> Are you not want to talk to us? >> Tomorrow would be a better time. Hey, are if you're willing to come down tomorrow and talk, we could do that, too. >> And you're out of your jurisdiction. >> Well, no, bro. >> Officers determined the father is under the influence of alcohol and not in a suitable state to answer questions on scene. After some back and forth over waiting until the next day, he agrees to go to the station for an interview. >> Yeah, I'm actually his mother. Um, I've known Sunny for probably 15 years. He works at the church with me at Legacy. If you're the one that calms him down, then >> yeah, I'm the one that's been there for him and he considered me his mom. So, >> all right, I understand. So, what's going to happen? Um, it's not going to be a permanent as of right now since one child is we are going to be taking the kids and removing them from the home. That'll be for tonight until CF. So, I don't think the issues with him, but being drunk also doesn't necessarily help it. And I understand they're a flawed system. I can't do anything about it. But CFD has to do their portion and we have to do our portion. >> It's a bunch of really everybody's got their own portions that they have to do to make up this one big >> shebang. Baby's got a bunch of bruising on the face. It's not from just simply falling. That's about as much as I can say. And I got to believe that they wouldn't do anything like that to their kids. Anything is possible until it's not. You seem to be the one that's kind of calming him down. We just want to make sure that he stays that way and that hopefully he doesn't have to go to jail tonight because that's the last thing. >> Yeah. >> That we want. So long. >> Okay. >> And like I said, if they get them back in a few days after CFD does their thing, then it is what it is. But for tonight, they got to come with us. >> This is a hard time. We get that. We get that you're going to lash out. Don't make a stupid decision that ends up take having us take you to jail. I'm telling you that. I'm begging you not to do that for your kid's sake. I do not want to take you to jail. >> Just let him take his pictures and faster. He takes the pictures faster. >> Is that the bookshelf [clears throat] that you were talking about? >> Okay. Is it typically that he would grab this side the middle? The middle one portion. Okay. Do you guys normally [clears throat] stay out here? Cuz I'd seen the kids rooms. >> Yeah, we got rid of our It needed to be thrown. We were going to get a new one. >> Okay. Where was the baby monitor at? >> This one, right? This >> and then the other ones. >> Okay. And that's the baby monitor. >> Yes. >> Do have a question for you. Come in here. That bruise on your arm. Other side. Well, those two. >> I did that. >> You did that? >> I moved the fridge to help him seal a hole. >> To me, that looks like >> No, it's cuz I blew it as well. use easily. I have lack of iron >> and I know this is a difficult time. Okay. Do you feel safe? >> Yes. >> Before you said he was drank [snorts] a little bit. I saw the bottle outside. I saw the bottle there. That's not a little bit. Who does the disciplining of kids? >> We [snorts] both do. He does the time out. And then I'll do I'll pop them. They don't listen time. He provides for the safety. He don't hit us. >> I just want to make sure that you feel safe. So the next part that's going to end up coming is we do have to obviously alert CFD again. Okay. So, they we're just waiting for the their worker to respond as well. Like I sold you up at the hospital. Okay. It's not that I don't believe you or anything. >> It's not at all saying you are a bad mother or anything like that. From what I can see, seems like you're providing for him very well. >> CFD is getting involved again. Okay. So, here's the thing. Kids are getting taken tonight. Is that Hold on. Hear us out. Is that a permanent thing? No. But so, one child pass away tonight. Now, if I I'll be honest. So, here's my thing, right? So, like he's drunk sometimes. There's that liquid courage. It's kind of one of those things. >> No. And I understand, but if he goes to jail because he's too belligerent tonight. How do you think that helps y'all's case? It does. >> How do you think it helps me if you take them away? >> Well, we have to. We have to do our job. Okay. >> From what we can tell, looking around, we can see that the children are being cared for. The house is >> 11 months later. >> The house is not a disarray. >> This is probably one of the more clean and organized houses that we've been in. That's why we these are all things that we document, okay? We document how clean it is. We document whether or not there's power, electricity, heat, air conditioning, depending on the type of uh time of year, whether the kids have food, they're running water, clothes, all these type of things are things we look at. The issue that we have, and again, it is not anything with you. It's not even him being drunk. The fact is there is already a case open and one child has. Again, I am not saying that is your fault. I'm not saying it's his fault. If it's the respiratory issue, like he said, it's going to be for a one, two days, couple couple days kind of thing. >> It's Thanksgiving tomorrow reason. >> We understand that it's frustrating. Realistically, it's not when I tell you cuz it wouldn't have changed the outcome. It wouldn't have changed. >> I would have been glad to know ahead of time. So, I know exactly how my husband's going to react once he comes home and the kids here and Peggy would be gone and then it would be him me and him alone. >> And are you afraid what he's going to do? >> I really don't know what he's going to do. Is that a relation with bruises all over your arms? >> There's options that we can provide for you to stay somewhere else. You don't have to stay in the same home with him. I understand when he's sober tomorrow and the kids aren't here. >> I understand it's hard for you. They understand it's hard for you, but it's better for you to be in a safe environment. Your kids also in a safe environment you somewhere possibly something can happen to you. >> It's also much easier to reason with people when they're sober as compared to when they're drunk. >> No, not with him. I've been with him for 5 years. Sober and drunk. >> Well, we deal with people drunk and sober on a daily basis. And I I tell you right now, it is 10 times easier to deal with someone who was sober than drunk. >> How many times did I tell him to sit down? Don't make it worse. >> Try doing that when he's sober and he sees three officers in the house and his mom would have to stop him and me. >> He would have been going to jail. I don't want to have to take him to jail. >> Drunk. He has more self-control than sober. >> Do you feel safe with him? >> That wasn't the question. Do you feel safe with him? about me. I just want my kids safe. And if that means you have to rip them away from me, then fine. >> So, it does matter with you because if you don't feel safe, we can't release kids back to you. That's what the issue is. What we're telling you, we want what's best for you and those kids, not for you to be a punching bag. Not for the kids to be a punching bag >> and we don't want him to, but we don't want him to hit you either. We don't want him to hit anything. We understand that this is probably the hardest thing in the that could have happened, but all the strives that you have done these 11 months or you said it's 11 months. Okay. You still No, it's not. >> I got them back from with that. They're gone again. It won't. >> It's not a permanent thing. I'm sure when they got taken the first time that you thought it was going to be forever. >> No, I felt bad. >> I'm not telling you to stop. >> 11 months later, my son is now. It's my fault that my take away. >> I'm not saying it's your fault. >> More beat up for me to do. >> I'm not saying it's your fault. You did CPR on him. You called 911. You got him to the hospital. >> Not fast enough. And as a result, my other two are going to be gone. >> It's not a permanent thing because even if we had left, we'd leave them. What if something happens to one of them? And I'm not I'm not saying it would, but what if it did? Who are you going to blame? You're going to blame us. >> Well, I would blame myself cuz I'm the reason why they're they're hurt. But those who are strong and healthy because they were raised by me. He was raised by them foster parents. He had strong health uh healthy lungs when he was born. Then get told by the foster parents and CFD case, oh by the way, it's your fault and your addiction why he has weak lungs and he's going to now you see why I have a problem with CYFD and most of their authority. In this private conversation, the mother tells officers she personally performed CPR, called 911, and got the infant to the hospital and argues her children were healthier in her care than in foster care. She initially denies that on her own arm is related to any unsafe situation at home. Officers then move outside with her to begin removing her two older children from the residence for the night. >> If you would like to drive your car 2, that's fine, but the kids do have to go with us. Okay. We can bring you right back for the >> No, not if he's here. Cuz by the time y'all leave, he's going to come back. And if he sees that I'm beating. >> You want your blanket here? Don't see any marks or anything? >> I haven't seen anything yet. >> Can you stand up for me just real quick? Let me see you real quick. I'm going to wrap you back up your tired >> face. Anything? >> Got little baby scratches, >> but nothing like crazy. >> What about you, buddy? >> Let me wrap your feet. These up. >> Can I see your your feet, your legs? >> He's got some on his arms. >> Yeah, it doesn't look like anything. Nothing on your head. What about your back? Does your back hurt or anything? >> No, it looks okay. >> Check it out. Got a bunch of options. There's a purple turtle polar bear. That's a cool purple turtle, huh? The pink elephant. >> You want water, buddy? Get some water. There's mom. We got him some waters. But >> do you would you like one? >> Are you saying that you're you you are wanting to be here? >> Yeah. >> Say you can be here. See why >> if I leave then I feel like I found it. >> You just got to understand that we we do have a process to do. I understand it's it's okay. Um we just have a process that we have to do. kiddo was in pretty rough shape. That was a boy, right? So, you said that he fell roughly shortly after you got him back. >> He fell when I started first starting at work and that was the first night my husband was responsible watching them. >> I want to know the truth. Okay. One of the top things that I genuinely hate is child cases and that ranges anywhere from just your ordinary child to the kids like that royally me off. Okay. So, whether it was you or your husband, I want to know the truth. There isn't going to be no covering for nobody. Does that make sense? So, if you're covering for him or he's covering for you, that ain't going to fly. I'll charge both. Uh because we have a baby. Those two kids are not going to do what I had seen on Callian's body, >> his head, >> all over his body. There's multiple bruises. And I could go download all those photos and print them out in full color on a giant sheet of paper and I'll show them to you. All the bruises that I see. These two are completely untouched. The Calian got a an old bruise here that's turning yellow. So, probably maybe about a week or more. And then he's got some fresh bruises. I'm thinking maybe less than three days. >> But this right here was when he hit the toy shelf cuz that's when my husband told me that I got off work. >> And you said that was about a week ago. >> Mhm. >> Which might make sense. So then where the is all this other bruising coming on in on this troop? >> He never got the chance to explain that to me cuz I my husband cuz I work at night and he's responsible for watching my >> That is not a big concern to you. >> It is. And I keep telling him to ask uh tell me what happened. He >> then you should be coming to us. His response is, "I don't know." Or, "I fell asleep." And I said, "So, do I have to quit my job just to be able to make sure?" >> So, how would you feel if your hus if you found out your husband was beating your kids to the point where it ultimately >> angry? Cuz I know how he does. >> Oh, just anger. >> No, very like you will have to stop me from just anger though. >> Putting me putting him in the Because I know how he does when he hits me. >> Okay. So, how does he hit you then? >> He cracks my head open >> with what? >> A fireball. >> Do you think he's he's hitting these kids at all? No. No. Because you told the other officers and detectives that you he would never hit the kids. >> To me, he he would have never hurt but not in front of me. But if I leave for work, I don't. >> So, how does he discipline the kids? >> He raises his forces and puts him in timeout. Won't >> There's nothing wrong with that. >> I won't know what happens. >> What I do see wrong with is why there's bruises all over his face. >> I wouldn't know what happens when I'm at work. Well, he told me it was them that did it. And I' I've seen him bite over them. >> Those kids are not strong enough to leave bruises like that. >> She pinches and then she bites to leave a bite mark cuz her brother has the same thing. her oldest. >> Okay. So, you can explain that, but you can't explain >> the one on his cheek. And I've been trying to get him to explain what happened. >> And it's not on the cheek. It's It's on the forehead, the eye socket, the whole entire cheek. >> From when his hit the poor shelf, I know that for a fact, but right here, I keep trying to tell him and he gets angry with me and then I leave before he gets physical. Like, I leave the room trying to avoid it getting physical. >> So, when you when you discipline your kids, how do you discipline your kids? >> I give them a little pop on the bump, but not hard. I know the rules and the laws and then I tell them no or put them in timeout in the room. >> So explain the laws to me. >> Well, I know you can't use a belt more than 3 in thick and then you can't specifically beat the kid with a belt with the studs. I was I disciplined my kids. My mom disciplined me which was since she was trying to draw in the police force. She followed the rule the rules. You just give a little pop in the pop their hand and tell them no and they listen. So I can show you I can show you the scab or the cut in my skull that's still fresh. You you you got to tell me how that bruise got on his cheek. You better dig real deep. >> My only explanation is he he hit him >> with what? >> Either his hand or hit the ball because that's his two favorite things to hit with. >> And when he hits you with the hand, how does he hit? >> He slaps me, he chokes me or he punches me. >> He's never hit any of the kids closed fist. >> Not that I know. He won't do it in front of me. >> Cuz I'll tell you right now, I mean, Calios beat pretty damn bad. That should strike a bone in you. >> It does. It really does. Haven't reported do domestic violence between us the last 5 years. He's busted my eardrum. So, how the are we supposed to help you? How is your life supposed to turn around if you're not willing to come forward to us? >> I thought he would change, but I guess not. He changed for a little bit when he's sober. >> I'll tell you right now the same thing I tell every other victim. Okay? Doesn't matter if you whoop his I really doesn't make a difference, >> right? But if you whoop his he whoops your Okay. But women can be toxic as too. They can be too. We We'll set that record straight. >> Yeah. >> So, with that being said, right, it doesn't matter who the is. Okay. If that person does it once and you you're willing to overlook it, guess what? They're going to do it again. You overlook it again, they're going to do it again. And it's going to keep going because they know that you won't go to the cops. You're going to have one hell of a life. >> It gets worse when he drinks. >> And now one of your kids is >> So you left at 7:15 and then you came back >> at 7:25 from getting black tape from all and I fixed the window. Then I left again and to go get the kids juice cuz they didn't want to drink the tea and he was still breathing. Then I came back and then I started. So, the last time you had seen Callian breathing was around 7:25. >> Yes. I sleep in his group. >> Breathing? >> Yes. I never hit my kids ever. >> Well, we get told that a lot. And so, you said that you think that Sunny hits Callie. >> When he gets too frustrated about him crying, Cali won't stop when he ask. >> And so, how do you think he would hit him? >> Either with his backhand, his fist, or with a fireball bottle. Those are his three favorite things. Cuz he won't choke Calli that I know of. He chokes me. >> So, here's what's going to happen. You're going to be released tonight. I still got to interview Sunny. Um maybe he'll admit to it. Who knows? >> The mother tells officers she believes the father may be responsible for physical she can't explain describing how he has hurt in the past with his hand or a bottle. Though she says she hasn't personally witnessed him harm the she states the last time she saw the breathing was around 7:25 that evening. Officers then began a separate interview with the father. I've been talking to Donna a little bit and getting a little bit of background kind of what's been going on and my understanding is uh you have three kiddos together. Yeah. The oldest one is not yours. >> Yeah. I'm a mom and I've had the experience of having kiddos and I know the whole walking stage uh you know kind of fumbling around you know like they uh or even fall and from my personal experience kids never look like this but that you know that that's not falling and hitting themselves lightly on trays or I don't know if you've seen the condition he was in whenever he you know after the hospital >> that what you guys the scene happened is how he got these injuries. What happened Wednesday? >> Just like I told you. I mean, that's pretty much what I just told you. >> Are you covering for Donna? >> I ain't covering for nobody. >> But if you're not covering for Donna, needing help with is, you know, explaining how this little boy ended up with these injuries. And and that's not all of it. Don't you want to know? Or do you already know? And I mean, and you're his dad and either you would be horrified enough too to say if you didn't do it, how the Did my baby get these injuries or based on your reaction? I think you know that's not normal. >> I know it doesn't normal. >> So tell me what happened. >> That's my son and I just told you what happened. >> I understand that and I understand >> that's my statement and I'm I'm not saying nothing else. >> When we work cases like this, I'm not saying that it's intentional or that you meant you or Donna meant to hurt your kids. But you can't sit there and tell me that that's normal and that that's okay. I mean, how do you live with yourself the rest of your life? Who who's telling? >> So, is she lying? >> That's all I know. >> Or are you lying? What do you mean that's all you know? >> It's just what I told you. >> That's your story and you're sticking to it. >> Well, he's he's got bruising on his arm, his little leg. Horrible. Horrific. >> You just want to show me the pictures. That was only it. >> Bruising? No. >> So, I don't know what they're talking about cuz I never seen the >> You never seen the bruising? >> No. >> Just the one on his forehead cuz he's got old He's got old bruising on the right side of his forehead. He's got a mark on the top of his eyelid. He's got another mark under his chin. That whole side of his face, the left fa left side, forehead, cheek. Looks like he got beat with a 4x4 or something, but you don't know. >> You only show me that picture, so I don't know. >> Do you want to see the rest of them? >> You only gave me that one. Would you like to see the rest of the photos? That's what she's asking. But you're saying that those are all all of those injuries that you know of and what you gave today is caused from the high chair incident and from him falling while trying to walk. >> I gave you a statement. >> Okay. We are going to find out the truth. We're going to know. And I again I I think it's crazy that people that are didn't even know your little boy are a little bit more invested in trying to find out what happened to him because again are questioning how this could have happened because it's not normal. I'll tell you that >> you got to tell us something. I understand that you gave us a statement but doesn't make it true. So you're not willing to tell us what actually happened? >> I gave you a statement. >> Well the question is you're not willing to tell us what actually happened >> cuz like I said she's claiming that she left the house. That leaves you with all three kids. You know what I mean? You know why she would say that? Yeah. You have a drinking issue, right? You don't just like Okay, let me ask you this. How do you get when you when you get drunk? I just watch movies or drinking. That's it. >> You almost tend to get a little bit more angry cuz she's claiming that you do. I'm assuming you were drinking when you had a kids with whatever cuz you're saying one thing, Donna's saying another, and then you're kind of separating yourself from the kid, but Donna's separating herself from the kids. So then who had control of Callian? So you're you're saying Donna lying then about >> I don't know what she's saying. Cuz I highly, bro, she she said she left the house. That's putting all the kids on you, but she was there. >> But you see what I'm saying though? Cuz you're saying one thing and she's saying another thing. And then now I'm like, she might be lying, but then she's saying that you're doing this, this, and this, but then that makes it sound like you're lying. So like, who do we believe? You've never hit Cali. Never hit him with a fireball bottle. Never hit him with any other foreign object. Never with your hands, nothing. Catch your knuckles. You've never like come like frustrated with him? >> No. I mean, when he's out, when I'm holding him, he's behind him. I'm down. He'll eat. He'll eat. >> Okay. So, if I give you a pen and paper, let's write your statement out. You be willing to do that for me. >> I gave you a statement. >> Would you be willing to testify to that statement in court? Yes or no? >> Am I being charged with anything? I might be help. >> Would you be willing to testify to that statement? >> It's a simple yes or no. I gave you a statement. >> Why am I going to answer your question if you want to answer mine? >> I gave you a statement. Would you be one to testify to that in court? >> Gave you a statement. >> Gave us a lie. That's what you gave us. I gave you a statement. You know, it's weird that you're saying that you gave us a statement rather than what actually happened. It'll be one thing to be like, a I told you the truth. I told you the truth. I've heard that. But no, you're you're just sitting here telling us, "Well, I gave a statement. I gave you a statement." Does it make it true, dude? Are you worried about being charged or something? >> So why would you ask that? You can't even look at me, dude. That tells me that you know something and you're not willing to tell us. For sake, it's a one-year-old bruising all over him. That doesn't infuriate you. Most other people, if somebody does that to my kid, there's going to be all sorts of issues. But you, there's no emotion. Donna has no emotion. Yeah. Look at me. >> I gave you a statement. >> I know you gave a statement. Does it make it true? Are you bothered? >> A little bit. >> Are you feeling frustrated? >> For what? Why are you feeling frustrated? >> Your attitude, >> dude. I don't have an attitude. I have an attitude because you will NOT COOPERATE. DON'T DON'T DON'T try to twist it, dude. >> We're not here for me. We're here for you. >> Like I said, >> YOU WON'T EVEN TELL US WHAT HAPPENED TO CALLIAN. >> I GAVE you my statement. >> You won't even tell us what happened to Callian. Would you testify to that statement on my statement? Would you testify to that? >> Mistake. Would you testify to that? We can sit here all day. We can. I'm getting paid. It's all up to us. You made a mistake. I don't think even intended to. During questioning, the mother disclosed a history of domestic violence in the relationship and was unable to explain the several marks that were found on the investigators determined that the adults were the ones responsible for the of the child. The man and woman were charged with intentional CA resulting in the child's just over a year and 7 months later, officers were called to a home in the very same part of the country as the case before it. Though this family had no connection to the last one at all, unlike the previous case where responsibility was split between two parents with a complicated shared history, this time a single caregiver was left alone with an infant and the story he gave for what happened in that window would not hold up under scrutiny. On July 10th, 2026, also located in Curry County, New Mexico, officers responded to a residence after a 5-month-old infant was found. He was taken to the hospital as investigators are trying to determine what the father had done while the two were alone together in the home. Where is he? >> So he was okay an hour ago. >> 24. I need you to speed up response to the ambulance. I have a a baby unconscious right now. Not breathing. About to start CPR. >> It was fine an hour ago. I went to let MY DOG OUT AND I NOTICED I don't know how his bed flipped. He was in his little bouncer on the bed and I noticed it flipped and I checked on him and it was cold. Nobody was in that room either. Like I was in here with Jared the entire time. >> Touch him. Let me get a break on me. >> Okay, keep going. Keep going. Keep going. >> Come here. You walk. >> Okay, I understand. Can I get y'all to go outside with her, too? Okay, I know. I know. Just go outside. >> Come on, Jared. Where's the other baby? >> I don't know. Is there another baby? Where's the other kid? >> Check the ambulance outside. >> There's another baby. >> Okay. Where's >> There's another one in check. >> Hi. >> Hi. She's right back here. She's okay. She's got a full diaper. [sighs] >> He was just okay. So, can you just tell me what happened? >> I have no idea. I was on the phone with my girlfriend. He was good. He had his bottle and everything. She was just back there a little bit ago. I went to go let my dog out cuz he had to go to the bathroom and nobody was in that room. There's nobody in the house besides me and him and I was on the couch with him. He was fine an hour ago. We gave him a bottle. I went to let my dog out and I noticed cuz the bouncer that he was sleeping in. >> I don't know how it can you guys come with me over here real quick. >> I just don't want anyone inside the home right now. Okay, I appreciate it. I went to check on him and I noticed he was cold and I told Jar, I said, "You need to get in here because I think he's >> and none of we were there an hour ago to check on him and he was fine." >> Okay. And he was on that couch the entire time. >> No, I was on the coucher. >> On the rocker. >> He was on the bed in his little bouncer. And that thing's never rolled over. So, we don't know how it rolled over. >> He has blue like you know when you squeeze hard. Your What color does he have that? Yeah. All over. And his neck is there's blood on his neck. >> Yeah. >> And then this one was asleep in the back room and she's got a diaper so full whenever I went to go pick her up, she's soaked. >> Well, do you see this house? I've been here before for domestics. >> Responding officers found visible an apparent on the infant's neck. Details that would later factor into the medical findings. Both the father and a friend present in the home placed the as fine within the hour, attributing his condition to an overturned bouncer discovered while the friend was letting a dog out. Investigators would return to this account and its timeline throughout the interviews that followed. >> Blood, dried blood across his neck. I was unable to wipe it off with saline and water. There's also a wound on the left hip. He's got about three cc's only a chance so far on board. >> So, right now the baby's up at the hospital. I guess they're working on the baby. I can't tell you what's going on cuz I'm not there. They're working on him right now. So, the good thing was they left. If the ambulance only leaves if they get a pulse or if they they get something. So, they did get that and they took off. my kids, aren't we? >> We're not at that point. We're not even talking about that right now. What we're trying to make sure is how it led to this. Okay, that's all, man. I'm not here to take away your kids. I'm not here doing any of that. I'm sure to investigate what's going on. Okay. >> I can't say I'm in I've been in your situation like that. Just >> you may get a chaplain out here to talk to you, man. You don't make it >> just like a pastor. I want to talk to family and mom. >> My mom would be cool. I need to call my dad. But hey, hun. Love you. >> I love you. I love you, too. Call dad. >> I'll call your mom real quick. Okay. And then your mom is heading over right now. So, right now, even if you did go up there, they will not let you see him right now cuz they're still doing whatever they're doing to help him out. Okay. And as soon as we're done talking to you, we can get you up there. Okay. >> He was in the bedroom and and on his in his bouncer. >> Okay. And then you guys brought him out to the couch. >> He was asleep. >> I I brought him out try because I was trying to get breathe >> as I was on phone with dispatch. They were like lightly push kind of push on his chest, you know, not like really hard because of his size. >> Yeah. But give him a few breaths, tried to do CPR. So I moved him somewhere flat and was like, "Okay." Until you guys got here. >> Hospital paramedics documented dried on the infant's neck that would not clear with saline along with to his hip. Physical findings that stood in contrast to the father's account of a routine fall. The father described performing CPR under a dispatcher's direction. A detail investigators would later weigh against the medical examiner's findings. Definitely looks like strangulation marks using a cord around its neck and it's got puncture wounds and bruising on the left leg and right leg. Diaper was completely soiled and they're still working full code. >> No, >> we only had him on the bed by weight. No, you sitting in it like just like Percy, but it does this number is up there. >> But we had we had him in the bouncer because he was cleaning out his crib and everything. So that's the only reason why he was in the bouncer. There was no sounds, no nothing, anything falling. >> Yeah, cuz once he fell asleep, I put him in his rocker and then I just closed the door and I let him sleep. >> It's these two that are in the home, the two kids. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And then you both live here. >> I don't live here. I live over on Ash, but I stay with him like 99% of the time. >> I help him out with the kids and whatnot. So, I was the one that laid him down and everything and he was fine. And cuz he even checked on him, too, after I laid him down and he was good. >> It's going to be great. I have a custody battle with my ex. >> Where's your ex at? >> Albuquerque. >> Is that where she lives? >> Yeah. Have domestic violence order against her. >> Is that >> mom >> to both kids? >> Yeah. She's not even supposed to know what's going on with these children. >> And why is that? >> According to the court paperwork, she's not supposed to know anything that's going on with these children. I can't post anything about them on social media. I can't do anything. As a standing DVO, she's not even supposed to have information about the children and the protection order from against her with both children. We're going to have you guys get transported down to the PD. It'll probably be cooler. I don't know if you want to leave her with mom. You said >> at the hospital, doctors found consistent with including around the infant's neck and on both legs. Findings that directly contradicted the accidental fall account given at the scene. The father disclosed an active custody dispute involving the children's mother. Information investigators would later probe for possible bearing on the case before he and the friend were transported to the station for separate interviews. Somebody tell me what's going on with Joseph. >> So, [clears throat] I don't know. I'll see if I can find anything out. >> I'll see if I can find Last I heard that they were working on him. Okay. I don't know. >> Once I I'll let them know and see if they can find out. Okay. >> Okay. >> I'll be right back. All right. >> I'm sorry to be the one [clears throat] that has to tell you this. >> Okay. This is something I did not want to tell you. >> What bed was that? I had his play pin outside cleaning it. He was in his bounce. It's not even a bouncer. I don't know what it's called. It's a chair and the the frame does this number >> and he just sits right here. And he was content. He's been content. >> Mhm. >> It's nothing out of the ordinary. He's my mom's even his mom's even said there. >> Do you want some water? >> Okay. Let me grab you a water. Okay. >> I'm trying. I'm trying. >> I know. And I'm going to give you a moment. Okay. We'll wait on that. We don't even have to worry about that right now. Okay, >> I'm going to go grab you a water. >> Like I told you, they did everything they could. As of right now, >> that's right. They just as of right now, he's >> he's deceased. >> I'm going to jail. >> Why do you think that, Jared? >> I know. I didn't even catch you, but he's good. I was waiting to hear him do his cry like he always does because he does like a little kid squeaky cry when he wakes up. I was waiting on everything going up to another shot. Everything is like it needs to be. Ryan is the only one that had a doctor's appointment coming up. >> Mhm. >> And I was waiting on hers. Joseph just got all of their shots that he was supposed to get. >> Jared, I have a quick question. Okay. And I know this is something that you probably haven't even thought about, but they are asking as far as funeral home. What preference do you have or if you have any? And if that's something that you don't know, we could go ahead and wait. You want to hold off on >> I don't know. I never do. >> How were the kids? They were doing great. We fed him. He had changed Rya. Put Rya to play to bed and everything. And then today when I put Jojo to bed cuz I changed his diaper, fed him, rocked him to sleep last night. >> Yeah. And today. >> So you were at the lake for how long? >> I went down there Thursday. >> Came back yesterday. >> Yes, ma'am. We came home. I got the kids changed. I got them fed, got them bottles and everything. Got them all comfy and relaxed. I had already pulled Joseph's bassinet out because I've been spraying the house because every time my neighbor spray the house, there's roaches coming to my house. So, you have a basket for Joseph? >> I do. It's in the backyard right now because I had taken it out to kind of >> So, last night because of that situation, you guys had to put Jojo >> in the >> in the bouncer. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And what we're talking about bouncer. >> It's not like you stand in and balance. >> So, when you lay on there? >> Yeah. >> When did he wake up this morning? >> I don't have any clocks or anything in my house. I don't wear a watch. >> Was it daylight? >> It was daylight. It was I I go in there and I check on them. They usually don't wake up until about 10:30. >> So, you're saying he goes 12 hours? >> He is a calm, content baby. He does not sit there and scream. >> And he's 5 years or I'm sorry, 5 months old. I mean, he's going to need a diaper change in >> diaper changes in between. But he usually I'll go in there, I'll change his butt, I'll make him a body, I'll get him all set back up. And he >> this morning, you check on him. You think it's got to be sometime before 8:00, right? before 8 in the morning >> that I woke up >> or that you checked on him. >> Honestly, I have no idea. I went in there. I had poked my head in there. He was good. I was listening for [ __ ] I checked on her. She was good >> this morning. >> Yes. [snorts] Both my kids were perfectly fine. >> He sleeps better when he's by himself cuz if somebody's in there with him, he'll just scream all night. >> What time did he wake up? >> Like 6:00 in the morning. >> Did uh Jared get up with him? Did you get up with him? >> Uh Jared did. Yes. He changed him, fed him, and put him back in the bouncer. Put some TV on for him in his room. Then I went sat back on the couch with Jared. We were just sitting there watching American Dad. I went out to go let my dog outside through the back door, which goes through the bedroom. And I went to go check on Jojo after I let him out. And then I noticed that the bouncer had flipped over and he was on his stomach. I lifted up the blanket and I noticed he was laying on his face and he was purple. And I ran out of that room screaming at Jared to get in that room. >> The bouncer was on the bed when I found him. When I called you guys, the thing was on the floor. Shortly after, she had gone back there to let her dog out. I do not understand if the dog knocked it down. >> The dog didn't knock it down. >> I don't know. I don't know. I wouldn't do anything to hurt my kids. >> Listen, listen to me. When you got back, did and you checked on had Jasper already fed him and gave him another bottle or where was she? >> Was in the living room cuz she had let Bear her dog that was running around in the house with us. He was in the living room with us and the gate was closed and I had it to where he couldn't get into the room. >> Here's what I'm asking. Okay. >> I'm trying to replay everything in my >> No, it sounds like you just throw the kids in the bedroom. But some Yeah. I mean, and then they're left unsupervised because what we've found out, Jared, is that for hours >> that he last night cuz I swear I gave him a bottle. I swear he did. >> So what happened last night? >> What happened last night? I came back from Logan with my kids. >> So when last night, that's what you just said. What happened? >> You just said that, ma'am. >> If he's been for hours, wouldn't you have noticed? >> Yes. And I swear he hasn't been since last night because he was breathing this morning. Why are you trying to twist that? >> I'm not trying to. >> It is a cop trick. Why are you trying to twist that mail? >> The father and the friend gave conflicting accounts of who discovered the and in what position. The friend described finding him face down and already the father maintained he was found strapped in the bouncer. Investigators told the father the condition indicated hours of unsupervised time, a claim he disputed. from the time that you put him to sleep. What you're saying, the time that you put him to sleep and whenever the call came in and his state of being purple, being cold, there's no way that he was alive. >> Yeah. >> 12:30. >> Like I said, he was alive then. He was alive because I had put him to sleep. >> Okay. >> And that was roughly the time frame. >> And there's no way that he whenever you saw him and you knew he was already purple, he wasn't on the floor or nothing, right? No, he was on the bed. >> Were there any Was there anything around the bed? Any kind of toys? Anything? No. >> No, just his bouncer. That was it. And the blanket that was on him. >> Is there any way that Rehea could have gotten there? >> No. >> She was in her room. >> Yeah. And she can't walk. Like she can, but she's >> she's she's two, three, and your dogs were in the living room the whole time. >> Yeah. When my one dog was in the living room, and he does not move, and he's my service dog. If the dogs didn't do it, if Rhea didn't get him out of that bouncer and what we have seen on his little body, there's no way that you fed him, put him on the bouncer, and that he's fine, and then an hour later, he's got that level of, you know, there's no way that he's alive at that point. Now, with that in mind, I want you to really think about this because when we talked to Jared, he's saying that he left for a while and left you with the kids. No, I honestly forgot he had did leave for the when he went to go take his motorcycle to his friends. I'm sorry. I am scatter brain right now because I'm still trying to wrap my mind around all of this. >> I've already seen my child. What? >> You've seen [snorts] him? >> No, I I >> how he looks. >> I I've seen that his face was like blue. I don't understand. >> You call people? >> Yes, I did. You don't think that I don't love my son? And I don't care. I WOULD HAVE CALLED YOU GUYS. >> DID you call us or did you call your mother? I called both. >> Who did you call first? >> I don't remember. I called you guys. I called my mom. You have my phone. Answer back. >> When you found You said you found him off the bed. >> Yes. >> Still strapped in. >> Yes. I removed him. I tried to give do CPR. >> That's not what Jasper told us. >> I am so confused because I took him out. >> So you took him out, laid him flat on the bed, put a blanket over him, and then Jasper found him. >> I didn't put a blanket over him. There was not a blanket over him. Who are you lying to? >> No, you're lying. >> No, I am not. >> Obviously, you are cuz that's what Jasper told us. >> There was not a blanket over him. >> We're getting this information from Jasper. >> There was not a blanket over him cuz I carried him out of that room and met paramedics outside my house. Call my mother. >> Your mother's here. And don't get at home with me. Please >> don't lie to me. >> I'm not lying to you. You're the one that's honestly lying to us. How do you explain the injuries under his neck? >> The injuries under his neck? That wasn't injuries. I don't love toing know because that was dried blood. >> That's not dried blood. >> What is it then? Because that's what I thought it was. >> Getting strangled. It's something around his neck. >> I have no idea. I thought it was dried blood. I didn't know what happened. I'm sorry to my child and you're calling me a liar. >> You're not taking care of your kids and that's very obvious. You put them in a freaking room. There's no way a 5-month-old sleeps from 6:00 at night on the way until 6:00 in the morning the next day. Did you see that? condition of his diaper. >> No, I didn't because I TOLD YOU GUYS. >> YOU'VE BEEN setting a for hours. >> I didn't know. I'm sorry. I didn't know. I had asked her. When I had left, keep an eye on the kids. I got back. Kids were asleep. Okay. I'm not going to persuade you. She left. No, I don't. I don't have a reason to. >> Well, if it wasn't her, then it was you. >> I had until I seen >> of natural causes. >> The kids were fine. I just want to know because that is narrowing who had access to those kids. Okay. During that time frame. So he's saying that he left for a while. How long was he gone? >> About an hour. >> Did something happen last night? >> No. >> What if I told you that it looked like he had been for more than 6 hours? >> He was fine all day today. >> Do you ever watch any crime shows? >> All the time. Okay. >> But he was fine. >> If you see a body as purple, what is that? You know, you I'm sure they talk about it in those shows. You know what I mean? >> Yeah. >> What you're describing is is just not possible, you know. >> Yeah. And I'm being completely honest. They were fine today. I was literally taking care of him the entire day and he was fine. >> Did something happen? >> No, nothing happened. And I have a kid of my own and she doesn't live with me currently. She's in Nevada. But even with my own daughter, I would never let something like that happen to her. >> And I asked Jared the same question. Do you guys other than you know smoke or do any of that do you do any other kind of or anything? >> No, the only thing I do is I vape and smoke cigarettes. That's it. >> Now Jared said the baby was pretty fussy all morning. >> Yeah. And he was >> But that's normal for him cuz when he wakes up in the morning when he has a butt, he'll scream and cry and everything and then we'll change him and give him his bottle. He'll cry a little more and then he'll calm down. That's just how he always is. Neither one of you guys are making sense cuz whenever you yelled at him to go get the baby, that's not what he describes at all. >> Yeah. And he was laying in the same position when that I found him in when I told Jared and Jared came running in and grabbed Jojo. >> If Jared would have done something, would you cover for him? >> Yes, you would cover for him. >> Oh, no. I'm sorry. Um, >> are you covering for him? >> No. [clears throat] I'm scatter brains. I'm I don't know how to process this because he was fine all morning. >> Okay. Well, he was not. We're telling you that. Okay. >> I know. >> Okay. Do you see what we're getting at with this? Okay. >> But he was okay because we were taking care of >> this does not just happen. Okay. >> Confronted with the on the infant's neck. The father offered an innocent explanation which investigators rejected as inconsistent with the pattern already documented. The two adults accounts diverged further. He described finding the infant strapped in. She described him unstrapped on the bed with a blanket over him. >> I did not do anything to my children. I would myself or let myself be before my kids got hurt. And right now I wish that was me. >> What did you do to them? >> I didn't do anything to him. I will take a polygraph right now. >> You don't have to act like that. Sit down. >> Quit calling me a liar. >> Sit down. >> Quit calling me a liar. >> Right. You're not telling >> Get a polygraph in here now. >> We probably will because you're not telling us. Yes, I am. Yes, I am. >> Something happened. >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM, BUT I WISH I DID. >> Back in April, he went in for malnourishment. >> Back in April, he went in m for malnourishment because he wasn't gaining weight with the formula changes that they kept doing. >> Did you go to his follow-ups? >> Yes, I did. Call Dr. Anudu. I've gone to every one of his follow-ups. I missed one doctor's appointment for that child, and I dealt with all of the medical records. >> Call Dr. Anudoo. I missed one appointment and I'm sorry that struck a nerve. >> And why is Rehea in her room with a door locked the whole day? >> She's [snorts] not in there all day with the door locked. >> Okay. Whenever officer showed up, she was all in her diaper as well. >> Why are these children in diapers all day? >> They're not in diapers all day. >> They're both time. >> Yes. I've been fighting rashes for Rya for freaking a week now. I've been trying. I've been talking to the doctors. I was six to set up an appointment for Rya as well. I'm not gonna feed the lies that you want me to say. >> I understand you love your son, right? >> I love my son. I love my daughter. >> So, would you tell us if something happened? >> Yes, I would. Why am I going to lie? >> I don't know what happened. >> That level of decomp, you know, because when they turn like that, you know, their body starts to decompose. Does not happen in an hour. And that's what I'm telling you. There is no way that in an hour, an hour and a half, a body, a little baby is going to look like that. So, just please. >> I'm being honest. >> I don't think you are. >> I'm being 100% honest. >> So, you're saying that you're the last one that saw that baby alive? >> Yes. >> You're the last one that interacted with the baby. >> Yes. But nothing hap Nothing had happened. I'm being serious. >> Well, something happened. >> I have a lot of people that can cover for me, too. >> So, what did I'm what am I lying about? I guess because >> somebody's lying, right? And she told us she found him face down on the bed out of his bouncer and was already purple and you told us that you found you said you found him in the bouncer flipped over on his side. >> The way that it looked it looked like he had slid from the bouncer. How the bouncer >> You told me he was strapped at the box. >> Yes. It only has right goes right here and right here. >> So how would he have slid out? >> If it fell off, he's going to slide. You told me you found him strapped in on his side. >> You guys are seriously trying to get me to incriminate myself and that is wrong and >> we're trying to understand. You're not making sense. I would never do anything to hurt anyone's child or any child to begin with. >> You didn't lose your with him cuz he was crying. >> No, I would never do something like that. Cuz what it looks like right now is, you know, you're the last one that had that interaction with him and if he was okay whenever you saw him and the next thing actually you're the one that found him. >> Yeah, I found him. >> And then you told him to go check him. So then that kind of eliminates what he was doing. And so the last one that had any contact and saw him alive was you. >> I would choke him. >> No, I would never hurt a child. My boyfriend can also vouch for me. >> Jer, he didn't he didn't die of natural causes. He didn't die of sins. positional esphixia. It looks like somebody strangled him. >> When I noticed something, >> do you know what mortas means? >> Yes, I do. >> Your son, they had to pry his jaw open because they had already set in. He had been for hours. >> I didn't know. If I would have known, I would have calleding then. If I would have done something to my kid, I wouldn't have called you. I have every right to be getting upset because my son and I have every right to be getting upset because you're accusing me. >> Yeah, I am. >> Give me a goddamn lie detector test right now. >> Sit down. >> I'm stretching my leg. I'm sorry. I have cerebopy. I'm not moving from here. I promise. >> I want to walk that way. >> I'm I just stood up. >> I'm sorry. Give me a polygraph test right now. >> What is he doing with those kids other than just sending them to the room to watch TV? And >> other than >> apparently both of them had really bad diaper rash cuz they don't even get changed. >> They do. >> Sounds like he just lives in that bouncer. >> No, he holds his son. And I even hold him from time to time, too. I'll hold him. I'll play around with him. Whatever. Same with Rya. Other than that, they'll be in the room. They'll, you know, watch TV, whatever. Other than when we change them and give them their bottle and everything. >> So, you've been there for the last month? >> About a week. >> And does his girlfriend come visit? >> Yes. Every once in a while, she'll come visit. >> How does she with the kids? >> She's great with the kids. >> If everybody's so great with the kids, how does Jojo end up? You know what I mean? >> I swear to God. I admit >> I I don't I don't believe it. I I don't There's a black truck that was parked outside of your house today. Whose is it? a black truck >> like around noon today >> that showed up when paramedics and everybody >> No, this was earlier today like around noon. >> You know anybody that has a black truck? >> No. >> No, >> no one at all. >> Not that I can think of. My dad has a gray Chevy. >> A gray Chevy? >> A gray four-door like 2010 Silverado? >> What does Chris drive? He didn't go over there to pick you up to go to his house or anything. >> No, Chris has doesn't have a vehicle like Johnny. >> Johnny. >> Four-door Ford sports track white tailgate. Maybe it's a black fort. From what I could see, it's a black truck. >> His name's Johnny Patterson. >> Johnny Patterson. >> Uhhuh. >> What was he there for? >> Cuz I was talking to him about the mini bike thing in my front yard. >> Johnny Patterson. >> Yeah. He was like one of my ex's brothers. He's like a brother to me. And I was gone probably I really only want to say it was maybe 20 minutes. I don't think I was gone that long. >> Did Johnny go inside your house or anything? >> Johnny came in and he sat down on the couch. >> Mhm. >> Did he go anywhere else or anything? No. He lives at a separate place, >> right, >> than he doesn't >> Christopher, right? >> No, >> he lives with >> They're brothers. >> They're brothers. >> They're by by blood. >> And they live together. >> Yes. Okay. >> I left. I came back. Everybody was quiet. I figured, you know, hey, you're asleep. I'm going to let you take your nap. I'm not going to bug you. I poked. I looked. And I swear to God, his thing was on the bed. >> All right. [clears throat] >> Did they tell you why you're going to be down here? >> No. This is some kind of investigation. I really don't know. >> You don't know anything else? >> No, ma'am. >> Okay. They said something about somebody's though like no who? >> You are correct. Somebody just passed away but somebody was an infant by month. >> Oh my god. >> Yeah. How do you know Jared? >> He dated my sister for years. But they haven't been together for several years now. >> How long have you known him for? >> 2012 maybe something like that. I haven't talked to him in since him and my sister were together. >> So you haven't seen him or nothing? He just showed up today. Well, it's because um I have a mini bike and I guess he got one too and he was trying to see what he would need to make it faster. So, >> how do you know he had a mini bike? >> Yeah. No, I'm just thinking I'm like if he if you guys haven't seen each other or nothing. >> They probably saw me on it or something. I don't know. But >> Okay. It's the last seen him since 2017 and you haven't talked to him or nothing or you guys ain't close or anything [clears throat] like that. >> And then he showed up today. I gave him a couple pointers on what he could do with his bike and he came about 12:15, 12:20 maybe. Then he was gone by 12:30, 12:40 maybe. >> Then he showed up with his bike. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Who did he show up with? >> My brother. >> Did he say anything? How did he appear? Like did he >> seem normal? I guess >> he seemed normal. >> He said something about he's got to get back to his house cuz some guy was there with his kids. >> Really? >> But I like I said, I don't know him having kids. It's like it was on gas. >> Really? You didn't even know he had kids? >> No. >> The baby didn't die by natural causes. >> That's what we're investigating. >> I wish I knew more, but that Yeah, that's about it. But hope anybody I can help. Of course, I will. [clears throat] That's >> Well, definitely appreciate that. >> That's crazy to even hear that honestly cuz well, I know you can't really tell me everything. So, when did the baby like pass? Was like the baby gone whenever he was at my house? Like, what the are you serious? He left you with the baby. >> And that and that's information we're still still trying to gather, you know. >> Oh my god. Like >> who's your brother? >> Johnny. >> Johnny's and he went over to your house with Johnny or how? >> Yeah. I don't know how that happened with them getting together, whatever. But yeah. >> Okay. >> The acquaintance corroborated a brief visit around midday, but said he had not known the father had children, a detail that added little to establish the infant's condition at the time. He placed the father's departure roughly 20 minutes after arrival. A narrow window, investigators noted, did not account for the broader gap in the care. >> An hour before you guys found him the way he was, he was fed and changed by Audrey or Jasper. >> Yes. >> She just told me that was a lie. >> Listen to me. >> Trying to place times and everything >> in my head. >> She told me at 6:00 in the morning or 7, you went in there to check on Joseph. >> Mhm. >> Was he? No, he wasn't. Honestly, I thought he was asleep. He was laying in the thing on the bed. >> Jasper says she never fed the child. She never >> I swear she >> she didn't. She She lied. She just told me that she lied about it. So, obviously, you and her talked about it. And if you want to save her, you can start telling me the truth. >> Sir, I'm telling you. >> Yes, I am. >> Your child has been a lot longer. >> My detector test, please. First time I've asked you. >> Listen to me. The child has been deceased a lot longer than before the cops were called. >> You guys have my phone. So, is Jasper lying? That >> I I don't know. I don't know. >> Did you see Jasper feed the child? >> No, I cannot say that I physically saw anything happen. >> You walked in there this morning to check on >> his thing was on the bed. If it wouldn't have been on the bed, I would have been tripping. When I >> Your other daughter, when did you put your other daughter to sleep last night? >> I don't remember what time I got home from Logan. Sir, >> when did you check on your other daughter? How long was it? Till the next morning. >> Till the next morning. Yeah, cuz she goes to sleep. And >> And she goes to sleep. She wakes up. At what time did you check on her? >> She usually I honestly before all this happened, she hadn't even gone off. I hadn't checked on her just yet. >> From the time you put her to bed last night or yesterday afternoon all the way until the cops are called. And when the cops are called, that's when you checked on her. >> I've walked back there. I listen for her. If she's good, I mean, she's had a butt change. She's been fighting a diaper rash since before mom left. I've used every cream that I can find. I >> Jar, >> I honestly don't know what time it was. Sir, >> Jasper just told me she did not feed the baby an hour before the cops were called. She just told me that. >> No, I didn't say she fed her. I said fed him. I said to check on keep an ear out on them. I never said you had just said that. So >> she's telling us >> that's what she's telling you. >> She's telling us I'm trying to understand. She told us earlier an hour the baby was fine an hour before the cops are called. She has fed the baby and changed the baby. She stuck with that for a little bit. I go in there just talk to her. It was a lie. She did not feed the baby. She did not change the baby. She says after the baby, she says she saw you walk into the room this morning to check on Joseph and feed Joseph. >> Mhm. >> Are you going to meet Joseph? I bought it. >> And he didn't take it, did he? >> I swear. I swear. >> Listen to listen to me. >> I need you to tell me the truth. This >> He was alive the last I seen him. >> When was the last time you seen him? >> I I put him in there. I swear I made a bottle this morning for him. Jared, I need you to be honest with me. >> I'm not lying to you, sir. I'm trying to figure it out in my own head. I'm very forgetful. I'm sorry. I promise you. I'm not lying. I said I wanted a lie detector. >> Your [snorts] son has been deceased for a lot longer than before the cops are called. >> I didn't know. >> I believe I believe the child was deceased. >> I didn't know. >> But you're telling us you went in there and fed him and changed him or just fed him. I don't know if he changed him or not. >> I swear I did. >> I don't I'm going to be brutally honest with you. >> I swear I did. >> I'm going to be brutally honest with you. Okay. Your child was not alive when you check on this morning and you knew that. >> No, I didn't. I thought he was asleep. I did not know that. >> So, how did you feed him if he was asleep? >> Because I was going to make the bottle. I was going to do everything I do every day. And I had it all lined up. I had to count the the formula already out. I'd already talked to mom because I need to get more formula cuz I'm low on formula. >> So, you didn't feed the >> I swear I I went I was going to make his bottle. I I swear I gave him his body. >> You didn't give him his bottle. You know why you didn't give him his bottle, Jerry? Because I didn't know you. I wish you'd put insinuating that I did. >> I'm not. >> You are. Either you fed the baby. Either >> I'm sorry if I sound girl, but you're insinuating that I knew that my son. >> If I would have known that, I would have told you guys. >> We can alleviate that. Either you made a bottle and the baby was fed. He took the bottle just like normal. Or you made the bottle and he was still asleep and you didn't feed in the bottle. Either did you. >> I don't remember. >> No, I don't. >> Jared, I don't remember. Your child this morning. >> I did. No. No. My child was not or I would have told you guys this morning. >> But you don't even remember right now. You told us that. Did he say earlier he fed the baby this morning? >> So when we go over there, are we going to find a freshly made bottle? Are we going to find a bottle that was Are we going to I know, but are we going to find a bottle that was made this morning that you tried to give the baby that you didn't take? >> Should be a Winnie the Poo. >> Is there going to be a yellow Winnie the Poo >> with milk in there that was made this morning? >> Should be. Yes. Jared, either you fed the baby this morning. >> I don't remember. Lie detector now. >> Okay. I'm going to tell you this. Your baby was a lot longer. >> I'm tired of you trying to get me to admit to something I don't know. >> I just want you to tell the truth. >> I want you to tell me the truth. >> I don't know, sir. I didn't know there was anything wrong with my son. >> I think you do. >> No, I don't. >> And I think you and Jasper >> polygraph now. >> I think Jasper now. >> Lawyer up. All right. Have a seat. I'm not talking. Get the alert. I gave you the chance to be honest. >> I was photographing a lawyer. >> All right, Jared. You are going to be placed under arrest and you're going to be transported to ABC. Okay. >> All right. So, the charges are going to be booked under as child resulting that's going to be one count. First degree felony. Okay. And then abandonment of abuse of a child. That's going to be one count. Okay. That's going to be a third degree. Do you have any questions or anything reference on this? All right. Go ahead and stand up for me. Go and place your hands while you're at >> I'm not lying when I say I have cerebral pausy. I have a messed up hip and a messed up knee. >> I'm sorry. I'm not trying to sound any understand. Okay, >> go ahead and try again. >> You got it. Okay. >> All right. A search warrant executed at the residence revealed multiple pipes, a soiled mattress, and spoiled food along with a second found on a urine soaked bed with severe diaper rash. That child was placed into protective custody. A friend of the fathers told investigators she saw him the infant by the with both hands. The father was charged with one count of firstdegree CA resulting in and one count of thirdderee abandonment or just over a year earlier and nearly 1,150 mi away officers were called to a home for a case that would unfold far faster than the one before it. Unlike the previous case where investigators spent days reconciling conflicting timelines from multiple people, this one centered on a short window of time when one man was left home with a sleeping child. On June 23rd, 2025, Leyon County, Florida, officers responded to a residence after a 911 call reporting that a one-year-old child was not responding officers attempted life-saving measures, but the child was pronounced at a hospital. Police quickly uncovered signs of foul play and the child's became a investigation. >> Have you got in touch with mom yet? >> I got in touch with the auntie. I told the auntie to tell the mama meet to the damn husband. >> You already gave part of your name and everything? >> Yes, I did. This your son? >> No, it ain't my son. That's my son-in-law. >> Okay. Son-in-law laid the baby down about two hours ago. >> Yeah, mom. I would call him mom. >> Okay. But I went in the room uh to fix this baby. Let me go ahead and fix you up. Not >> was they both sleep? >> Yeah. Sleep. >> They sleep close together. >> Yeah. No, no. I'm saying when you lay the other baby down, was where they both sleep at the same time? You left for about two hours and you >> back and forth. >> Okay. >> They be crawling. Make sure hit the floor. Okay. >> Lord Jesus pray. I pray you ask God. >> Y'all keep the baby lock for mom. >> I keep go to work and I take them back over there when she knock off. She probably told me yesterday she y'all know my baby. I said, "Yeah, I know your kids. I bring them back to you call. I don't beat nobody. I go to work." I even know the kids. I do. >> Does she live on this side of town? >> She on that side of town. Yeah. and tell that >> what how long you been here. Mom, >> who damn >> you just came over here yesterday? >> They been here since yesterday? >> Yes. And I >> about what time yesterday? >> Yesterday eating around about 5:00. >> 5:00 p.m. yesterday. >> I thought I had to talk them home. Well, this morning >> we go home today, but uh she said, "Hey, y'all keep my key." My phone ring. >> No, I hear >> I know where she stay, but I don't know. I just >> Okay. So, she got the word already. >> Yeah. >> There you go. Right there. >> Is this her right here? >> The mom way. I was trying to see before. >> Cross here. >> I don't want a bunch of people coming in here that weren't here. Okay, just everybody. >> Everyone who was here. I know. I I know. We need to treat this very serious. I don't want anyone else going in the house that was here. >> Okay. >> When my dog went to he was still in the I went in that check off and I said I going to put them put my forehead my head right there. I keep all the kids go to work. I go take care. >> I just heard somebody say something about the ear infection. Where's mom? >> She's on the way. Um, they don't they know anything. They didn't know the baby's last name. They have a phone for mom. Lady says she keeps the baby for mom. Mom, they said that the baby hadn't been sick at all that they know of. Sin-law laid the baby sleeping. >> Well, son-in-law said the baby slept in the bed with him, but he said he laid both of them down in the bed. They were asleep. He left him about 2 hours, came back to check on him and find the one or his spouse. Excuse me. Can you show me the room where the baby was laying down at? together. >> They was in this bed. >> Yeah. And I'll be back at So, I check on it. So, when I leave out the room, I stay out the room for maybe like an hour or two, then I come back on. >> Well, when you squeezing the bottle, did you see like any of the uh uh apple juice or >> Oh, this lemonade. >> Lemonade. Did you send if you could just set that down for me? Right now, we uh we got to call the investigators down and stuff till we find out what's worth. They'll be coming also. They'll probably want to talk to you, too. That following day, investigators interviewed the man about the night before. He described putting the child and her twin to sleep, leaving them for about 2 hours and later checking on them. Investigators also identified who else had been inside the home. >> Let me tell you how this is going to go. So, uh, like DCF is probably want to talk to you. You already know that. Um, they're going to interview everybody that's in the house. We're going to have to go back and interview everybody that's in the house, too. Um, then they're going to do the same. The kids will obviously be interviewed, but DCF is going to interview them. We handle the adults for the most part. So, when you were talking to us the other day, you said uh you know obviously and Arthur were in the living room. >> Okay. Was there anybody else in the living room? >> Okay. This is very important. I just want to know who all was coming and going from the house at that point that you're pacing around in the living room. Um do you see Katrina come in at all? >> Okay. And you said the door would have been locked so she can't come in. >> Mhm. Okay. >> She knew how to get in. But >> how do you get in? >> How do you get in? There's like a secret way. >> Well, there's three ways you get in. >> Yeah. Like you got you got me, you got my room, you got me in my old lady room. >> Oh, okay. Like coming in through a window. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Y'all keep the windows unlocked. >> Uhuh. >> Okay. >> It's another way like coming through like my brother-in-law my brother-in-law room window and then you just like come in the front door like we just pick the lock. Yeah. >> And just >> Okay. Has she ever done that before? >> Oh, I never seen her do that. >> Okay. >> All right. Seems like she's just happy to have a place on the porch to lay her head when it's raining. She's not going to mess that up. So anytime [snorts] she does that, she has to ask permission kind of thing. >> Well, well, I'll be there some Well, if I'm there and my mother out there, I just like walk to the pond. >> Mhm. >> Then I So she'd be there. So she be watching her. >> Okay. But she's not allowed free access to the house on her own because of >> She issues. She smokes. Yeah. >> She smoke rocks. >> Oh, not rocks. Old school. Okay. >> But sometimes she like >> Yeah. So going back to you in the living room, you don't see you don't see Katrina come through the living room. It's just you pacing around for an hour because you're stressed. It's mother-in-law and Arthur there. >> Um, so just Letha, author, you do you see uh where's Marquez at at that point? >> Oh, he he was in his room. He was sleep. >> See, I get up in morning time. >> Yeah. >> When I get up, all of them still be sleep. >> Okay. Marquez wakes up late normally. >> He get up around like 1 2 3. >> That's what the detective said yesterday. While all this was going on in the house, he was he was asleep until like 12:30 >> and he woke up. So he got he got a g you got games in his room? >> Yeah, we got all of got games. >> Okay. So that's what the deal is. He's up all night, you know, playing Madden or something. I don't know. >> We played Fortnite. See, we play >> Fortnite. Yeah, my son plays Fortnite, too. So, is Mark is Marquez in charge of taking care of any of the kids that were there? >> Well, he was sleep. >> He was asleep. Okay. Where was King and Camarius? Where were they at while you were in the living room facing around? >> Oh, they was in the other room. All the the three the three boys. >> It was in the other room. What are the three boys' names that were in the other room? >> Oh, you got King, >> you got King K Mohu >> and Junior. >> So, Rexavius Junior and then King and Kamarius. They stay in one room by themselves. >> Yeah, they sleep together. >> Okay. Is there any adults stay in that room or just them? >> No, they just be them. Okay. >> They play the game, too. >> They were asleep. I'm assuming you didn't see them in the living room while you were pacing around. Okay. >> They they keep the door closed. >> They what? >> The door be closed. >> They Oh, they keep the door closed. Now, Leticia's kids, Javvante and uh Adriana. >> Oh, they sleep in the living room. >> Okay. So, uh when you were pacing around, were they in the living room? >> When she was on the floor. >> Mhm. [clears throat] >> And he was in the couch. He was on the couch with your grandma. >> Yeah. And Adriana's what? Eight, seven, eight, >> I think. So, >> okay. So, that's all the people that was in the house. >> Yep. >> You go into the living room. Mother-in-law Letha, you >> mother-in-law's husband Arthur, and then your girl, >> Leticia's two kids are in there asleep. Are they asleep or they awake? >> They were asleep. >> Okay. And then everybody else is in different bedrooms in the house. Uh the hard part, we did autopsy today. Um some of the things we learned at autopsy. You and Leticia, would you consider yourselves in love with each other? >> Mhm. >> Okay. I know you're not going to want to say anything bad about it. >> The man described the adults and children who were in the house, including three boys who slept in another room with the door closed. He also explained who was present in the living room and how one family member could access the residence. You know, we're we're looking at the possibility this kind of where our investigation's going that Leticia during the night. I need you to tell me like truthfully like what happened during the night? Like what did Leticia do? You know, if you saw anything. >> Oh, no. She don't she don't Everything was going good. >> Did she lose her temper? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Was she stressed out? >> See, she go to sleep before me. >> Okay. So, you kind of have to stay up with the kids, right? What time did your girl lay down and go to sleep? >> The night before? Well, when she come in from work, she'll take a shower. >> She'll eat. She'll let the food digest again. She'll lay down and go to sleep. >> Yeah. About about what time was that? Was it late? Was it early? Cuz I know she had work the next morning. So, >> maybe like in the afternoon when she come cuz she be tired. >> Mhm. >> And then then when she go to sleep, I was in the room with my step playing the game. >> Okay. So, you and Maris what were we all playing Fortnite? >> I'm binging on the Fortnite. Mhm. >> How long were [clears throat] you in there playing Fortnite with him before you went back in the bedroom to take care of >> Oh, I've been there for a good little minute. >> Okay. You think it was midnight or later when you went back to y'all's bedroom where everybody was sleeping or what? >> It be like it be between like 1 2 when I go >> 1 or 2 a.m. when you go in there. >> But would you say like primarily through the night you're the one because you're not going to work the next morning. Are you the one that has to kind of get up and take care of the babies? >> Mhm. >> Okay. That's big. That's big. And then you told me from that point on you weren't really able to go to sleep. >> Okay. So if you woke up at 7:30 was >> that's when I go to the stove. >> Was Leticia already gone by the by the gone. >> So you wake up, she's gone. >> Yeah. >> Do you remember even though you're laying in bed, but do you remember at any point hearing or seeing her when she got up to get dressed to go to work? >> Mhm. >> Okay. You slept through all of that. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So when you woke up at 7:30, do you check the kids to make sure they're okay? At least look at them. >> Yeah. before I go. >> Yeah, >> cuz I had went well when I got up about that time. >> Yeah. >> I had went to the store then. >> Okay. So, you go out. When you go out, do you see Katrina either on the porch or in the vehicle sleeping? >> Well, sometime you like sometime, but when I go out there like she sometimes she don't even be out there. >> She's out doing whatever. >> She been out all night. Okay, I got you. All right. So, you did you see her Sunday morning, though? >> I seen her Sunday night. >> No, Sunday morning when you left to go to to Brian's store. >> Monday morning. >> Well, Monday morning. Sorry. Monday morning when you went to Brian's store, did you see her? >> Uh, she was in the truck. >> Okay. >> With the door. >> And that's that's the morning that >> she was on the porch. >> Okay. So, you saw Katrina on the porch. Was she sitting sleeping? Was she awake? What was she? >> No, she was sleep. No. Well, she was up because she was on the porch. Okay. >> And I was like, "What?" I was like I was like, "Auntie M." >> Then then that's when I walked. >> Yeah. >> But Well, when I get up, she still be sleep. >> Yeah. >> So when I came back, she was up. >> Okay. >> Like what? >> When I came back, she was up. Yeah. >> So, you go back into the bedroom after going to the bathroom, smoking the blunt. What What do you see or what's going on in the bedroom once you leave the bathroom? >> Yeah. >> When was the next time, I guess, that you had any issue with either one of the two kids? >> I don't have an issue with that. >> Okay. The reason I'm asking is because I talked to your mother-in-law >> by your own admission, sleeps in the living room, and she says, she says, "I was up by that point." She said he never came. I didn't see him come out of the living room at pace at all. >> Maybe you sleep at night. >> And here's the other thing with our timeline. Like you said, you go to the store at 7:30, you're back by 8, you're smoking in the bathroom until you burn a blunt down. So now we're talking, you know, 8:15, 8:30ish. I'm not holding you down to a minute. I'm just trying to get the timeline straight. But 911. So that's that's 8:30. >> Mhm. >> And then 911 gets called at like 9:14. >> 9:14. >> Yeah. So not even an hour later. So, you know, could you really been pacing for an hour or two in the living room >> with that timeline? >> Okay. So, what were you doing? >> Well, they were sleep. >> They were asleep. Okay. Cuz she said she had been up and she was sitting in a recliner. >> No, they be sleep in the morning time. Like, they only get around like 7. >> As far as you know, nobody else went in that room. >> Okay. Your bedroom door, the bedroom door that goes into the living room, do y'all sleep with it locked or with it unlocked? >> Well, sometime be Well, it be unlocked sometime. >> Mhm. But Monday, Sunday night, Monday morning, when you went to the store, was that bedroom door locked or? >> Yeah, it was locked. >> The door going from your bedroom into the living room? >> Oh, no. It wasn't locked. It wasn't locked. >> So, I have to ask, you know, could this be Letha that lost her temper? >> You know, the baby's crying. Maybe she's been having to listen to it all night, you know. >> Well, she she ain't going to do nothing. But she'll she'll tell her to be quiet, though. >> Uh, you've been living with your girlfriend Leticia for a while. um her family have brought you into their house, right? Um you know, it's one of their own part of the family, the roof over your head and everything else. >> They're not requiring you to work or anything like that to pay rent. >> Well, well, now Well, I'm trying to get mom so I can help. >> Well, I know, but they're not forcing you to. >> Yeah. You know, they care for you. Obviously, you're part of their family, and I can tell you care for them, right? If you care for them, why are you going to let them get blamed for you having a natural human reaction and losing your temper in an accident happening because you haven't slept all night long? >> I don't lose my temper. >> Okay. Well, that's even worse if you didn't lose your temper. >> I'll never lose my temper. Only time I lose my temper like let somebody mess with me. >> Like that's the only way. Like other than that, no. Well, I don't want you to compound what was a I've got three kids. All right. >> I have one. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. But here's the difference. I was at home with all my kids and I was walking them all night long when they were crying uh with acid reflux with all the earachches. My son for the first year of his life had acid reflux so bad he would not sleep through the night. Um we could not give him four hour feedings. We could not give him six hour feedings or the night. He had to be fed every two hours because if we fed him any more, if we fed him any more than like an ounce at a time, he would projectile vomited up. You know what I'm saying? But if you only feed him, if you don't feed him but an ounce, you know, every 6 hours, what happens? Baby starts losing weight, baby gets sick, baby dies. So around the clock, every hour and a half, this tiny tiny little bit of milk. >> Oh, no. Down. >> Yeah. I'm talking about my kid. >> Oh. So, I know what it's like to stay up all night long, you know, with a kid walking them because they're collicky, because they got reflux because they're crying and they just will not go to sleep. I know how frustrating that is and I know what lack of sleep does to a person. You make decisions that you would normally make and you have reactions that you wouldn't normally have. Kid was hit. That is a scientific fact. Okay. A pathologist, we had an autopsy this morning and I don't want to give you the details of what an autopsy is like. >> It's it's horrendous. an autopsy. >> That's basically when they take the human body apart to figure out what exactly caused that person's death. And I've seen hundreds of those. I'm glad that you don't have to see them. But now that this has happened, are you sorry that it happened? I hope that you are, right? Would you change it if you could? If you could go back and do things a different way, would you change it if you could? You're nodding your head yes. And I get that. And that tells me that it's it's not a mistake of the mind. It's not some evil thought that you had in your mind. You know, you didn't want to do anything to hurt anybody. But again, there's a mistake of the mind. All right? But you got to tell us. You have to be the one to tell us whether this was accidental or whether it was again just not a mistake, something that you intended to do. But I don't believe that you intended to do it because there's no reason for you to intend to do it. You know what I mean? >> And I see the tears. So I can tell that you got a heart. I've been talking to you for two days now. You have never struck me as a person that's got a bad ball in their body. You've just been as happy and as jovial, you know, despite everything that's going on, you've been happy and jovial the whole time. And that's important to me and that's important to you. Hold on to that. At the end, you did what was right no matter how much it was going to cost you. Okay? Just tell me what happened. Okay? I know it's hard. I can't promise you you'll feel better, but I know I'm the only person you've told. >> I love you, man. >> Yeah. Can you go get some tissue? Thank you. They're my cousin-in-law, bro. H my cousin-in-law. >> I know. They've been around you all this time. They know you. They know there's not a bad one in your body. >> I'm I'm a good person. >> I know you are. Why [snorts] do you think I don't have you cuffed right now? Okay. Tissue. She knows you're not a bad person. That's why she takes kids over there. They all know you're a good person. [snorts] Tell your story. Don't let somebody else tell it. Don't let me tell it. You tell your story. Tell me what happened. You didn't actually go to the store, did it? >> Yeah, I went cuz I I got a piggy bank in my room. I got changing though. >> Did you go inside the store? >> Yeah, I went. >> You bought a blunt? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Cuz that when you came >> Well, we're going to go there and look at camera footage. So, we're going to see you in there buying a blunt at 7:30 in the morning. >> Yeah, sure. Yeah. Going to take >> Okay. But the fact the fact of the matter still remains and you you talked to me about how stressed you were and how tired you were. And I'm thinking back to when my oldest was about one and how stressed I was and how tired I was and all it would have taken was just one more thing and I probably would have snapped too. Um, thank God I didn't. Okay. >> Can I ask you a question and I hope you'll tell me the truth. Do you mix anything with your >> Okay. No. Straight. >> Straight. You drank anything that morning? No. >> Had you been drinking that night? You're not a big drinker, are you? >> I can tell. Why not? >> I drink sometimes. >> Yeah, >> I drink liquor like every blue moon. >> Yeah, I can tell you're not. I can tell you're not a big drinker. You stop me and you correct me if anything I say is not 100% right. Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> You stop me. Don't be afraid. You stop me and you tell me if I got something wrong. Everything that you told me in the last interview when I talked to you the last time about what happened Friday evening, all that's true and correct. >> Okay. And then Saturday evening, is everything truly correct? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. And correct me if I'm wrong, where you tell me just so I have it right. Did Leticia wake up and help then or was she asleep through all of that? >> No, she was asleep. >> She slept through that. Okay. Sit tight for me here a little bit. I got make some phone calls. See how her going to handle the situation. Okay. I'll try to uh try to get back into here with you as soon as I can. Okay. >> Go to jail. >> I don't want you to go to jail either. I really don't. I don't want anybody to go to jail, you know. I don't want kids there. You know, there's a lot of things I want in this world. It's a conundrum really because you are being detained up here. All right. My policy. My policy to have to uh have to put you up to secure you. Okay. So, slide over this way. I'm not going to cuff your hands cuz there's no point. All right. You just slide them off the back of this chair. I'm going to put this around your ankle. Okay. There. Now, that way it won't tighten up. You're being charged with murder and you're being charged with aggravated charge. It's based on the evidence, our findings, your statements, everything that you told us. Didn't twist your words or anything like that. Everything you said has been recorded, presented it to the state. They concurred uh that you should be charged with. So from here, you're going to be transported out to Leon County Jail, waiting on that officer to come and get you. >> Investigators continued pressing the man about what happened after he returned from the store. He confirmed buying a and maintained that his partner had been asleep. Investigators will be placing him in restraints and told him he was being charged based on the evidence and his statements. >> Uh, do you know girlfriend's number or mom's number or mother-in-law's number? >> Okay. I'm going to write them down on a piece of paper so you have them. Okay. Let me ask you this. On the way here, I'm going to ask you where your girlfriend was. You said that her and her mama had left. >> Yeah, they was already gone. >> Where did they go? or they had to they said where they were going to get a son to help them move. >> Help them move. Help who move? >> My mother-in-law. Now >> your mother-in-law and your girlfriend are moving out of the house on Saxon Street. >> Yeah. >> Did you tell them what happened and that's why they're moving? >> No, they are. No, the ladies I guess the um what you call it? >> Landlord. >> No, the um >> DCF. >> Yeah. >> Okay. The lady that said what? >> I don't know. I ain't go with them. Okay. Were they planning on leaving you with Saxon Street and just her and her mama were moving somewhere else? >> No. All of us were moving. >> Okay. >> But I can't go to jail. >> I want you to objectively think about it for a second. >> But I told the truth though. >> I know you told the truth. >> Like why I can't go home? But >> if I walk down the street today and I shoot somebody in the face, but I tell the truth, does that mean I get to go home? >> If you told the truth, >> that doesn't mean you get to go home. You still committed a crime. >> I'll write those numbers down for you. Okay. >> So I can't call. >> Um, not from here. Well, actually, yeah, you can. Uh, girlfriend's number. Will she answer? >> Probably. Yeah. >> Okay, you can. Let me get Let me get a phone. It's on speaker. You cannot touch or otherwise manipulate the phone, match any numbers, make any calls, or send any text. Okay. >> Hello. >> Hey. >> Yeah. >> What going on? >> They they talking about they charging me with hands. >> For real, bro. >> Yeah, >> man. What you want me to do? Call your mama? >> No, bro. Why? Why not? >> Hell no. Cuz they ain't going to do nothing. >> So you going to sit there, take a charge that you ain't do. So you want to go down the road? Don't you bing telling me? >> No. The man said he came back in here and told me that I've been charged with murder and better us out. >> So you So I'm saying I'm asking you mean you you going to take the charge. So you don't want no help? >> Yeah, I do. But [clears throat] >> I'm saying you don't want me tell your mom and >> No, they not going to do nothing. [clears throat] be listening out for his call from the jail within the next probably he'll probably be able to call you within three hours. You know, he should be booked in and able to call you. Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. Go ahead and stand up for turn around back. >> According to police and court documents, the victim suffered multiple to the head with a fist. The man later confessed to her and said he had smoked before wanting to play with her. He was later indicted on charges of first-degree and aggravated CA. About eight months earlier, just over 1,50 miles away, officers were pulled into a case that raised a different question about who bears responsibility for a child's safety. Unlike the previous case, where a parent's own actions were at the center of the investigation, the person being questioned this time wasn't a parent at all, but someone hired to look after two children for the day. On October 16th, 2024, Ector County, Texas, officers responded to a residence after two one-year-old twins were found in a bathtub. both children later and investigators began questioning the woman who had been caring for them that morning. >> Um, I'm assisting on the investigation and the baby's okay. >> I I don't have any information on that right now. Okay. We're just a lot of moving parts trying to figure out kind of what's going on. We're still just trying to kind of figure out what's going on, what happened, everything that led up, etc. All right. So, start from the beginning. Kind of tell me about this. >> So, I woke up the twins were crying and I took your diapers off. >> Who are the twins? Fill me in on the twins. Okay. Um, I honestly I'm like thinking of their name for now. I'm just so up. >> Okay, describe it to me. How old are they? >> They just turned one yesterday. >> All right. So, you woke up. What time do you think you woke up? >> Charlotte and Hazel. I can never >> Charlotte and Hazel. Okay. >> I don't know. It's like 10:4. >> Woke up at 10:40 something this morning. >> 10 something. >> And you said they're crying. >> They're crying. Okay. >> And then I let Brandon in the room with his mom. >> Okay. And then I went and took their diapers off and I put them in the tub. I took everything out. All that was in there was the toys and I left the water running. >> Okay. >> And then I went to the room next door. >> Okay. >> She was screaming. >> Was mom sleeping? >> No, she was awake. >> She was awake. >> Everybody was awake. >> I haven't been there. So, describe to me the bathtub. Is it like a big jacuzzi tub? Is it >> No, it's a it's a regular size tub. >> Okay. Like a regular size tub that can be used as a shower. I didn't put no towels in there cuz usually I put a towel so it can fill up >> and I turned it off. I didn't. There's a toy in a big rubber band stuck in like a hair tie but the the stick was stuck in >> Okay. Like a scrunchie. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, you used a scrunchie to >> I took I took there was and then there's like these finger toys that they put on the fingers to play with and that was in there as well. >> Okay. So, >> and I think that's what the doctor was. >> Okay. You know what I mean? >> When you when you go to put them in there, um, do you plug the the tub from the beginning and turn on the water or? >> No, I didn't plug it in. >> Okay. >> I didn't plug it in. There was a bunch of toys in there. >> Okay. And at this point, is the water just going straight down the drain? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> But there whenever I went to go take the water out, you know, there was a toy, a little orange finger toy, and then there was black a black scrunch. >> Okay. And then you go to the other room. >> Yeah. The room right next door. >> Okay. How long were you in that other room? Um, I was watching TV. >> Okay. If you had to estimate, are we talking 5 minutes? Are we talking 15 minutes? Maybe an hour. Okay. Maybe like 20 minutes. Okay. And so, you think the water is just running straight down? What would be the purpose of it running straight down? Do you know what I mean? Like, what would be the purpose of putting them in the tub if you didn't? >> Cuz they play with the toys all the time. >> Okay. So, they're just in there to play. Yeah. >> And the water's just running straight down. >> Yes. >> Okay. Are they supposed to be bathing during this time or are they just playing? Okay. So, they're just there to play. >> I bathe them every morning. >> What's that? >> I bathe them every morning. >> You bathe them every morning. Okay. Was this a day that you were going to bathe them? Was that your your intent with this? >> Well, I just put them in there cuz I have poop. So, I was just letting them like sit there and let the water run. >> Okay. So, they had poop on themselves and then you said you heard screaming. >> Tell me about that. I heard Charlotte Queeny and then these were laying on the bed. They were lips were all purple and I just grabbed them and started doing it. >> Okay. >> The woman being questioned was the twins regular caretaker hired by their mother to look after the children in the home. Before this interview took place, first responders had been called to the residence and both infants were taken to a hospital where they were later pronounced. >> And you said that when you went in there, there was a scrunchie and a toy. Was this afterwards or when you heard the screaming? When did you see the scrunchie in the >> afterwards? >> Afterwards. Okay. So, after she had already taken the babies out. >> This is this after you did the Himler that you said. Okay. Did that scrunchie and toy stop the tub? >> Okay. And you said normally you use a towel whenever you're going to plug it. What was the scrunchie in the bathtub for? >> Probably one of the kids. All the kids feed in that tub. >> Okay. because she has two older ones. She lays in there as well. >> At the time that you put the kids in the bathtub, you said the the mother was awake and she was in the bedroom, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And you had put Braden in there with her. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Her door should have been open. >> Who at that time, who did you think was was watching the kids? Would that have been you at that time? >> The twins. Okay. >> Do you normally leave them in the the tub for that period of time? >> No. Okay. How did it happen? That's when I >> I dozed off. I was tired. I was up the other kids till about 4 in the morning. >> Okay. >> Yeah. The two girls though, I was up 15 to about four. Yeah. Four or five and I do off for a little bit. >> How long do you think you do off? >> Is that why you're not sure the time period? >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. That's fair. >> I was scared for 30 minutes. >> Okay. because I if I have my phone I could tell you the times cuz I got up and I looked on my phone and it was like 10:31 random in front of the door and I unlocked her door and I let her in and she told me something. I can't remember what she said. And I was like, "Well, I got to get my babies to call me." Like I always say that whenever they start crying. >> My babies are calling me and I was like, "You stink." And then I took one diaper off and I put her in there and the water's running. I didn't put nothing in. There was just toys. I went and got the other toys in there. I dressed her through the There's a bag of trash right by the door and I threw the dryer right in there and I put her in the tub. >> Okay. And then I made sure that the water was running. I knocked them. I do this every day. I've been watching them for three years. >> Yeah, >> I know this. I'm not stupid. And I went to the other room and I started watching out at elementary and I dozed off for a little bit. >> But like I said, I told them. >> Okay. >> I'm always watching them. >> Okay. >> Nobody Nobody thinks that you did anything intentionally. >> Who does? like what did you do? >> Okay. >> Well, when people are worried and when people are are shocked and taken back um you know sometimes they say things that they don't mean or they say things out of anger, >> concern. All right. So, you do you normally live there at home? >> She picks me up from my house and she's like, "I'm going to bring you home after I get off work." And then she keeps me up. She's like, "Hey, you just want to work. You just want to work." I think that's like I'm honestly with kids a long time. I haven't celebrated anything in like three years. I don't do nothing. It's just there. >> Tell me about this um scrunchie. Can you describe it? >> Scrunchie. I haven't seen this in like a long time. That always came from to be honest. >> Okay. All right. So, a black scrunchie hair tie. >> Yeah. I think it came out of medicine's hair cuz she's the only one that leaves and comes back cuz we [snorts] have these. We use these or the little plastic ones. >> Okay. And this one is more fluffy. >> Yeah. I've never seen like I've literally never seen this. >> And you said that it was with a >> It was like you know those little finger toys that they get they're like little they look like little aliens. >> Okay. >> If you go to the house there's a bunch there. They're all over the floor. Okay. >> And um I just seen that little orange toy been cramping. I was like, "This is what was popping it up." And when I picked up the toy, I felt something in there. And there was a freaking scrunchie. >> All right. So the scrunchie somehow got got stuck in the tub and then [snorts] the >> the orange toe on top of it. >> Okay. You said it's like an orange alien toy. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> It should be right there on the side of the tub cuz I just grabbed it and threw it. >> Okay. How heavy was the water running that that float to me? Was it like a low flow? Was it >> The tub flow pretty fast. >> Okay. So, going out pretty fast. Okay. >> Yeah. Like they always freaking the bigger kids they they turn them on and overflow the tub all the time, but they're always freaking jumping in and out. [snorts] >> Okay. When you put them in there, was your plan to go back and bathe them? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Um they had the soap and everything on the side like I had the towel right there. You think that one of the twins put that scrunchie in the >> What's that? >> They're only one years old. >> Yeah. [snorts] >> They stick everything in their mouth. >> You think there's a possibility that that you put the scrunchie in to plug them? >> No. >> The you know, with plans of going back and No, >> no. Like I said, I've never seen the scrunchies. So, how >> Okay. >> Why would I do that? >> Okay. Can you describe to me this um this orange alien toy like with a like a size or a shape? >> It's like a finger toy. I don't know. Like grandma's always >> like how long is it? You had to give me a length. >> I think it's like that big. >> Okay. And how wide is it? >> The size of a finger. >> Size of a finger. >> Okay. So [snorts] you said you hear the screaming, she's got the baby's on the bed. You go over and you try to help with with him as you described. Then you go back into the the bathroom and you see that the water is >> Is it overflowing at this point? Okay. Um is the water still on? >> I don't think so. >> No. >> Okay. And [snorts] then >> wait. >> Okay. The water's off at this point. >> It just ran that way. >> No, it wasn't. I turned it off. >> Okay. So, it's still running at that point. >> Yeah. >> So, the water's still running. [snorts] >> Did you remove those items from the drain? >> Yes. >> Okay. Yeah, I told you I threw them on the side. >> And you said you threw them on the side? >> Yeah, just put on the tub. >> On the side of the tub. Okay. So, is there like a lip on the side of the tub? >> No. Okay. So, it's a small bathroom. You walk in, there's a cabinet in the mirror, there's a toilet, and then there's a tub and that's it. I always have like a towel cuz I kneel right there and I bathe them. So right here in the corner I have the soap and then I have some towels and stuff and that's I just grab them and throw them right there outside of the tubs. >> Has anything like this ever happened before the kids? >> Have you um ever dozed off while you're playing in the water? >> No. >> Cuz you said you woke up at about 10:40 then you and then you just open the mom's door. >> Okay. Put them in there. >> Yeah. >> Okay. When you think back, you said that she said something to you. >> Yeah. I don't know where she's I just told her to call me. >> All right. Is she normally awake at this time? >> No, she should have been. >> Okay. Cuz I'm supposed to be restated in the morning. >> She take [snorts] care of Charlotte and Hazel their whole life. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Well, honestly, I watched all all of kids, even her oldest one when she was eight. >> Was there anybody else in the house other than >> her and Carlos? >> Carlos. >> Her brother. >> Okay. What was Carlos doing during this >> time he was at work to be honest? >> Is [snorts] he ever assistant caring for the kids? >> No. >> Okay. And he tested me. >> All right. Including Charlotte. Okay. >> Officers determined the children had been left in the water for at least 30 minutes. The mother's brother's discovery is what triggered the emergency response that brought them to a hospital before this interview took place. >> What happened? She would let me leave. >> That day she was like, I should watch the kids. I want to get married tomorrow. That's crazy. On my birthday, I went to her job cuz she was I went to her job and I had two drinks with my mom and my husband, my sister going to watch the kids. I haven't done nothing in the past years. I had to go top with my husband on the 28th. I post a freaking interview with our lawyer on the 21st. Like I'm just stressing out. >> I barely went to jail for something that I didn't even do. >> Okay. >> And then I just got the papers and they dismissed it. So >> Oh, okay. [snorts] Okay. You said that she works at um >> bartend. What does she do there? >> She's the manager. >> The manager of bartend. Oh, she's like a bartender in the in the server, but she's like a shift manure. >> Okay. So, you provide all this child care for the family. How do they pay? Do they pay by the hour or do they >> No, like from 5 to 8 hours. >> Okay. From 5 till she gets home at Okay. So, then in the morning when you're there, you stay the night. >> Well, >> are you getting paid? So in the morning basically she's just asking me to live in there because I'm always there and just like I can eat and stuff shower, you know. >> Okay. All right. [snorts] So in kind of in exchange for living expenses kind of thing. >> Yes. >> Okay. So you get paid from the hours of 5 to 1 and then in between then you kind of just help out in return for exchange of [snorts] living expenses. >> Officers who responded to the scene documented a towel plugging the tub's drain when they arrived. That detail contradicts her account of what was in the bathroom. And she disputes both its presence and the color she's told it was. >> When the officers got there, there was a blue towel still plugging the drain. >> There's no blue towels. There's no blue towels in there. So, I know that's a lie. >> Okay. >> They take a picture. There's no blue towels there. Green one and a green one. No. >> Okay. And I can get a picture. We can try to Because I know they took a picture of it. to try to figure out if it was, you know, they >> shouldn't be playing the train because I told you no train because I literally took out that toy and that's crunchy. There was a white towel on the floor. >> There's a trash can right there. I can tell you exactly. >> This gray this gray one that was there. I'm thinking maybe it could have like fallen in afterwards. Describe that towel to me. >> It's a little gray like bath towel. >> Okay. I know you say bath towel. So, a lot of people bath towels, you know, some people say that what you dry your body with is a bath towel. Some people say you dry your >> wash a wash. >> Okay. Like a washcloth. >> Yeah. >> Would it be like this? This size? >> No, it's like it's like two of these maybe. >> Okay. >> Okay. And that's gray. >> Yes. >> Is it dark gray? >> Light gray maybe. Or chocolate. And then everybody else >> um everybody else is still I believe either speaking with officers. I don't I'm only here with you so I can't I don't want to tell you like I said I don't want to tell you anything untrue because I don't >> I don't know for certain. >> Hey John, uh this is what's going on. Okay. >> You are going to be charged with injury to a child uh two of them for causing the death of those babies. >> Okay. Uh we're waiting on patrol officers to get here so we can transport you to the jail. Okay. >> What >> do you have questions? >> Yes, cuz I've been sitting in here. Nobody's told me anything. >> Okay. But we were working on the search warrants for the home. We were working on uh getting with the judge to get your uh warrant signed. Okay. But both of the babies are deceased. Uh and they were under your care. Okay. You left them unattended in the bathtub. So those were what your warrants are for. Okay. And we'll be back in here shortly. >> Why are you alone now? >> Because you are the babysitter. You were the one in charge of taking care of those kids. You are supposed to be the it doesn't matter if you were supposed to be or not. You did and you are the one that placed them in the bathtub. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, that is the reason why. >> So, nobody else is doing the job. Not even for the other that's in the house. >> Okay. We're doing a search one on the house. They're going through everything in the house. We'll deal with that once once that comes. But right now, our concern is obviously those two little babies. Okay. >> Hello, ma'am. I'm going to show you the gel. Okay. >> Can I pee? >> Uh, we can pee at the gel. >> I cannot. I'm going to pee in your car. I really have to wait. I cannot wait. I understand. >> Investigators determined the twins after being left unattended in a running bathtub while in the woman's care. She was charged with two counts of with prosecutors arguing she knowingly committed an act clearly dangerous to human life. A jury found her guilty on both counts and she was sentenced to two life terms, one for each count with eligibility of parole after 35