Arkansas Mom Charged After Leaving 1-Year-Old to Drown in Bathtub While Texting Her Mother, Police Say

BROOKLAND, ARKANSAS — A 31-year-old Arkansas mother is facing felony manslaughter and child endangerment charges after police say she left her 1-year-old son alone in a bathtub for 14 minutes while texting her own mother. The boy drowned before emergency crews could save him.

According to the Brookland Police Department, Courtney Marie Newsom was arrested earlier this month following a weeks-long investigation into the September 7 drowning at her apartment in the Logan Street and Wagner Place complex.

Investigators say Newsom initially claimed she left the bathroom for only “a minute or two,” but later admitted she had been distracted by messages and lost track of time.

Police: Mother Admitted She ‘Lost Track of Time’ While Texting

Officers arrived at Newsom’s residence after receiving a report of an unresponsive child. They found her performing CPR on her son before paramedics rushed him to a nearby hospital. Despite medical efforts, the boy was pronounced dead on September 13.

In her first interview, Newsom told police she was bathing her two children when she briefly stepped out to grab something from another room.

“Courtney said she left the room for approximately 60 to 90 seconds and returned to find her son laying on his back with water over his lips and nose,” the affidavit states.

But in a second interview, Newsom’s story changed dramatically. She admitted to being distracted for more than 10 minutes, explaining that she had been texting her mother during that time.

“I texted my mom the first time at 7 a.m. and called her when I found my son at 7:14 a.m.,” she reportedly told investigators. “I thought I had only been out of the room for a minute, but I lost track of time.”

Charged With Manslaughter and Child Endangerment

Police obtained a warrant for Newsom’s arrest on October 8, and she was taken into custody three days later. She has been charged with felony manslaughter by recklessly causing death and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.

Court records reviewed by NEA Report show that Newsom was booked into the Craighead County Jail and placed on suicide watch while awaiting her court appearance.

She was later released on a $15,000 bond and is scheduled to appear for arraignment on November 25.

A GoFundMe campaign launched by acquaintances claims Newsom has struggled emotionally since the tragedy and is seeking help to cover legal expenses.

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