A young mother who left her baby boy alone for twenty minutes to converse on the phone was sentenced to one year in prison.
Olivia Elizabeth Miller, 24, who drowned her 8-month-old son Asher Johnson, will spend less than 120 days in a Michigan state prison.
A judge granted time served credit for 246 days of the sentence.
According to Law & Crime, Miller entered a no contest plea in October to one count of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of her son.
Prosecutors agreed to drop a second-degree child abuse charge against her as part of the plea deal.
Miller reported her son’s drowning in her bathtub to Grand Rapids 911 on November 22, 2023.
When first responders got to the house, they found the youngster on the floor, face up. Despite their efforts to save his life, the infant passed away in the hospital.
Miller told investigators that she had put her son in a tub with a few inches of water before leaving the room to change her clothes.
She said that after just five minutes out of the room, she came back to discover her son floating face up in the tub with his mouth full of water.
Miller reportedly told the officers that while she waited for help to arrive, she tried to revive her kid.
Investigators claim that during follow-up police questioning, Miller’s account evolved.
In a probable cause affidavit that MLive examined, deputies noted that [Miller] provided conflicting accounts of the events leading up to Asher’s death during the course of the inquiry.
After obtaining information from Miller’s phone, investigators found that she was using it when her kid drowned in the bathtub.
According to reports, she began using it at 3:17 p.m. and continued to do so for about twenty minutes before dialing 911.
About four minutes before to dialing 911, Miller texted her father, stating, “Just trying to talk while I have time while Asher’s taking a nap.”
Before dialing 911, she allegedly informed Asher’s paternal grandmother twice that her son had drowned.
Prior to first responders showing up at the house to treat him, Asher had been lying on his back on the floor for at least twenty minutes, according to officials looking into his death.
Frank Stanley, Miller’s lawyer, told local radio WZZM that there was no proof that Miller’s acts were deliberate.
He clarified that this is an unfortunate circumstance. The loss of her beloved kid has caused her to endure immense emotional pain.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.