James Dawson Charged With Manslaughter After 11-Month-Old Son Drowns in Lepanto Bathtub

James Dawson, a 31-year-old father from Lepanto, Arkansas, has been charged with manslaughter and first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor following the death of his 11-month-old son, who drowned after allegedly being left unattended in a bathtub.

According to court records obtained by KAIT and the Jonesboro Sun, Dawson was arrested by the Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office on February 3, roughly four months after the incident. He was released from jail less than an hour after his arrest.

Investigators say the incident occurred on October 2, when Dawson placed his infant son in the bathtub, inserted the drain plug, and turned on the water. Authorities allege Dawson then left the bathroom after becoming distracted by two other children in the home who were arguing.

A probable cause affidavit states that first responders from the Lepanto Police Department and Lepanto Fire Department were called to the home for an unresponsive child. The baby’s parents attempted CPR before the child was transported to a hospital, where he died the following day.

In interviews with investigators, the child’s mother said she had briefly left the house to feed a dog at her father’s home and returned approximately 20 minutes later. After coming home, she noticed water running in the bathroom and questioned Dawson about it. According to deputies, Dawson then said, “Oh, my God, the baby’s in there.”

The mother told authorities she ran into the bathroom and found her son face down and unresponsive in the tub. Dawson began CPR while she called 911. Deputies wrote that Dawson repeatedly said the incident was his fault and that he had forgotten the baby was in the bathtub.

Dawson told investigators the situation had “slipped his mind,” explaining that he became distracted by the other children arguing about dinner around the same time his wife returned home.

Investigators later executed a search warrant at the residence and noted that the recliner Dawson was sitting in during the incident was located on the opposite side of the house from the bathroom.

Ring doorbell footage reviewed by authorities reportedly shows Dawson arriving home at 6:46 p.m., his wife leaving at 6:52 p.m., and returning at 7:22 p.m., aligning with the timeline described to investigators.

The case remains pending as the investigation continues.