A mother of two from Tennessee has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, neglect, and endangerment after her 11-month-old passed away.
According to WBIR, around 8 p.m. on January 8, 32-year-old Lindsee Leonardo called 911 after she discovered her son Aiden floating face up in the bathtub where she left him. Leonardo was allegedly giving her sons a bath when she stepped out to smoke a cigarette.
Mom Charged With Murder After Leaving Children in a Bathtub
As the Knoxville News Sentinel reports, the arrest warrant states that both of Leonardo’s children were in the tub wading in 4 to 6 inches of water when she stepped out to “have some ‘me time.'” Leonardo told police “she was outside for about 10 minutes and listened to two songs on her phone.”
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When she arrived back inside, she found her youngest son unconscious and her bathtub filled to the top with water. Leonardo told police that while she was gone, her 23-month-old son must have turned the water on. The warrant reads:
“(Leonardo) stated she was outside for about 10 minutes and listened to two songs on her phone. Defendant stated when she came back inside she went to the bathroom to find the 23-month-old had turned the water on and the bathtub was filled to the top.”
The 23-month-old was seen standing in the tub as Aiden was floating on his back. The mom performed CPR as they waited for first responders to arrive. After being rushed to Tennova Turkey Creek Medical Center, doctors were able to find a heartbeat.
Sadly, after being airlifted to another hospital, Aiden was declared dead two days later. Knoxville County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kimberly Glenn told WBIR, “Our hearts are saddened at the loss. We expect additional charges to be forthcoming. As for now, the investigation is continuing.”
An explanation for the first-degree murder charged has yet to be released. Leonardo remains behind bars on a $350,000 bond. It’s unclear who is watching over her 23-month-old son.