Mom of Drowned Baby Charged in Son's Death

The mother of a baby boy who drowned in a bathtub has been arrested and charged in her son’s death.

The mother of a baby boy who drowned in a bathtub has been arrested and charged in her son’s death.

Police say 8-month-old Walter Williams III drowned in the bathtub inside the Bridgeton Villas apartment complex back on June 27 in Bridgeton. The child’s mother, Shakeya Thomas, 21, was trying to revive the baby when an emergency crew arrived at the apartment, according to investigators. He was pronounced dead shortly after.

On Saturday, Thomas was arrested at police headquarters and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and child neglect. Investigators say the boy was left unattended for a “significant” period of time in the bathtub with the water running. Both the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office and the state Division of Youth and Family Services were involved in the investigation. Thomas was processed and released on her own recognizance pending court appearances.
 

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