A 30-year-old Church Point faces a negligent homicide charged after his 9-month-old child drowned in the bathtub, according to St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz.
Guidrox said Nicholas Lee Ducote placed the toddler and a 2-year-old in the bathtub and allowed them to play with bath toys while he folded clothes. He then exited the bathroom and played a video game on the television for a short amount of time, Guidroz stated.
“While occupied in the other room, he heard a loud splash and went inside the bathroom to check on the children. The 9-month old juvenile was unresponsive in the water in the back of the tub. The 2-year-old was sitting in the front part of the tub and was not injured,” the sheriff stated.
Ducote removed the juveniles from the tub and called out to a family member for assistance. Emergency services were immediately contacted.
Guidroz said an autopsy was conducted on March 8.
“The death of the juvenile was ruled an accidental drowning, however, Nicholas Ducote committed the act of criminal negligence. His simple carelessness resulted in the accidental death of an infant child,” Guidroz stated.
Ducote was booked at the St. Landry Parish Jail on March 15 with negligent homicide.