A Kentucky woman is headed to prison for nearly a decade after she took a bath with her 3-month-old son on New Year’s Day while under the influence of drugs and fell asleep, causing the boy to drown.

Amber Winstead, 36, received a nine-year prison sentence on Thursday after admitting to manslaughter charges related to the death of her infant, Ki’Arri Rayne Winstead, at a Louisville motel on January 1. According to prosecutors, Winstead will serve a seven-year term for manslaughter, with an additional two years added due to a parole violation stemming from a 2021 drug possession case. She must complete 85% of her manslaughter sentence before she becomes eligible for parole.

Authorities were called to a Motel 6 located on Airport Hotel Boulevard around 4:30 a.m., where they discovered an unresponsive infant. Investigations revealed that Winstead had fallen asleep in the bathtub with her son. When someone awakened her hours later, Ki’Arri was found submerged and not breathing. Paramedics arrived, but sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a plea deal, a charge labeling Winstead as a persistent felony offender was dismissed, as reported by WDRB, a local Fox affiliate.

Winstead’s arrest took place in the parking lot of the funeral home just before her son’s burial, her attorney revealed. Her legal representative, Bryce Dean, stated that Winstead expressed a desire to be placed under house arrest prior to her sentencing.

“She wishes to visit her child’s grave and seeks a bit of closure before being transferred to the Department of Corrections,” Dean shared with WLKY, a CBS affiliate.

Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Trish Morris said she would consider the request, saying she has “obvious empathy” for the defendant. It’s unclear if Winstead was able to see her son’s grave before her sentence.

“The situation is tragic all around,” the judge reportedly said.

Ki’Arri’s obituary said he was born to his “loving mother” on Sept. 24, 2024.

“Ki’Arri was a little angel, a miracle baby whose bubbly personality and infectious joy lit up every room he entered. He was a precious bundle of happiness, always calm and content, bringing peace to those around him. He never cried, and his gentle, happy demeanor made him a perfect little guy who was loved deeply by his family,” the obituary said.