On July 20, 2023, 20-year-old mother Ashlynn Swenson-Marshall was bathing her 2-month-old infant (L.W.) and another child in the bathtub at their Sioux Falls, South Dakota residence. She left both children unattended in the bath for approximately 7 to 10 minutes to help her 15-year-old brother-in-law with a pay stub issue in the living room. During that time, the infant went underwater and drowned. The sister-in-law discovered the infant and began performing CPR while Swenson-Marshall contacted authorities. L.W. was transported to a hospital but was taken off life support after three days and pronounced dead from anoxic brain injury due to drowning. Swenson-Marshall initially provided a false account claiming the baby was only underwater for 10 seconds, but investigators used email timestamps and witness statements to determine she had left the bathroom for significantly longer. She pleaded guilty to felony second-degree manslaughter and faces up to 10 years in prison.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
The news article explicitly states the child drowned. The autopsy "determined that L.W.'s cause of death was anoxic brain injury due to drowning." The mother pleaded guilty to manslaughter for letting "her 2-month-old baby drown after she left the infant in the bath unattended."
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The news article explicitly describes that Swenson-Marshall left her 2-month-old infant and another child unattended in the bathtub for approximately 7 to 10 minutes while she helped her brother-in-law in the living room, during which time the infant drowned. The article states: "Swenson-Marshall had left the victim and her other child in the bathtub unattended for about seven to 10 minutes."
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The news article identifies the perpetrator as the child's biological mother, Ashlynn Swenson-Marshall, described as "A 20-year-old mother" who left her infant in the bath unattended and pleaded guilty to felony second-degree manslaughter for the "reckless killing" of her child.
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The news article states: "Ashlynn Swenson-Marshall appeared in Minnehaha District Court last week where she formally pleaded guilty to one count of felony second-degree manslaughter for the 'reckless killing' of her child." She was also initially charged with cruelty to a minor, which was dropped as part of the plea.
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The news article describes a notable discrepancy between the mother's initial account and the evidence uncovered by investigators. Swenson-Marshall initially told police she was bathing the victim and another child when L.W. went underwater for "up to 10 seconds" while she briefly turned her attention to the other child. However, her 15-year-old brother-in-law's statements and email timestamps showed she had actually left the bathroom entirely to help him with a pay stub issue in the living room for approximately 7 to 10 minutes. Additionally, a cruelty-to-a-minor charge was dropped in exchange for the guilty plea to manslaughter.
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