Report: Before baby drowned, Pensacola family was allegedly under investigation for neglect
A family whose 1-year-old drowned after being left unattended in a bathtub was allegedly already under investigation for possible neglect of another child in the household, according to statements made to Escambia County Sheriff's Office investigators.
Marc Basulto, 21, was arrested Thursday for aggravated manslaughter involving the death of a child, according to the ECSO. An investigation revealed that Basulto was alone in his home with his two children when he put his 1-year-old in a bathtub with the water running. Basulto then took medication and went to sleep in another room.
Two hours later, he was awakened by the sound of the other child crying and found the 1-year-old unresponsive in the full and overflowing bathtub, the ECSO said.
According to Basulto's arrest report, the child was transported to West Florida Hospital but live-saving measures failed.
Responding deputies interviewed Basulto about the circumstances of the incident. His responses were redacted from the arrest report, however a deputy cited in the report said Basulto said he had taken Benadryl earlier in the day for a sinus infection.
Pensacola man charged with manslaughter after unattended 1-year-old drowns in bathtub
The child's mother was not home at the time of the incident, but the mother's workplace supervisor came to the home to check on the mother's wellbeing after learning of the child's death.
According to the arrest report, ECSO investigators asked the supervisor if they were aware of any abuse or neglect in the household. The supervisor said while they did not have direct knowledge of any child mistreatment, they said the couple was under a neglect investigation by the Navy's Family Advocacy Program due to another child in the household being severely underweight during a doctor's visit.
They were unable to provide any further detail about the Naval investigation, the report said.
Investigators determined Basulto to be responsible for the death of the 1-year-old through culpable negligence.
Escambia County Jail records indicate Basulto remains in custody on $300,000 bond.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola baby drowned bathtub Marc Basulto family investigated
