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After an extensive four-month inquiry, an Arkansas man faces manslaughter charges linked to the drowning of his 11-month-old son.
James Dawson, aged 31, is also accused of endangering a minor’s welfare, as reported by the NEA Report.
The incident came to light on the evening of October 2, 2025, when authorities were summoned to a residence in Lepanto around 7:30 p.m. The infant had been transported to Le Bonheur hospital, where he tragically passed away the following day.
The child’s mother recounted to police that she had stepped out to tend to a dog at her father’s place. During her absence, Dawson allegedly placed the child in a bath, neglecting to shut off the water. Upon her return, she noticed the water running and questioned Dawson, who reportedly exclaimed, “Oh s***, the baby’s in there,” according to an affidavit.
They hurried to the bathroom and discovered the baby submerged face down. Dawson initiated CPR while the mother contacted emergency services.
Dawson confirmed the mother’s story, adding that he had left their other two children in a room watching a tablet and playing while he prepared the bath for the baby, who was getting fussy.
He said he left the baby alone in with the bath water running while he went to seat the other two children at the table for dinner, but they argued because they didn’t want to eat what the mother had prepared.
Then, he said, he took a bowl and sat down to eat because it just “‘slipped’ his mind” that he’d left the baby in the tub. The nother returned “probably a minute later,” he said.
Dawson was arrested on February 3 and promptly released. A bond and court date were not listed.