Florida Babysitter Charged With Manslaughter After Allegedly Falling Asleep and Suffocating 9-Week-Old Infant

A Florida woman was arrested this week after she allegedly took drugs, fell asleep on and suffocated a nine-week-old infant she was babysitting.

NBC affiliate WMBB reports Mary Elizabeth Evans, 40, of Panama City, has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.

Per a press release from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Evans’ arrest stems from an incident that took place on June 6, 2021. Emergency responders were called to a home in Fountain, Florida, a city located roughly 30 miles north of Panama City.

Upon arrival, police discovered Evans unresponsive, as well as a nine-week-old infant she had been babysitting. Evans and the infant were rushed to a local hospital, where the former was revived. The unnamed baby was declared dead soon after arrival.

A blue pill that investigators discovered at the scene was later confirmed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to be fentanyl. Law enforcement claims that Evans took the drug before falling asleep on the victim, suffocating them to death.

“Investigators determined that Evans had purchased narcotics earlier that day and had ingested them by crushing and snorting the pills before taking care of the child,” police allege. “Evans was discovered unconscious, sitting on the side of her bed, with her upper body completely covering the child.”

Evans was booked into Bay County Jail as she awaits her first court appearance.