A 3-year-old boy died after drowning in a backyard swimming pool in Evansville, Indiana, on September 19, and his mother, 41-year-old Amie Jo Farber, has been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death. According to police documents and local reports, the child was swimming while Farber was nearby but later became unresponsive in a patio chair.
Child Found Unresponsive in Evansville Pool
Farber and her son arrived at a home on North Second Avenue at approximately 2:30 p.m. on September 19. She reportedly asked the homeowner whether her son could use the backyard pool and agreed to supervise him while he was swimming.
The child entered the pool using a float while his mother remained nearby. The homeowner later went inside the house for about 10 minutes. When he returned, Farber was reportedly unresponsive in a patio chair, while the child was no longer visible in the pool.
The homeowner discovered the boy floating face-down in the water and pulled him out. Someone at the scene began CPR while another person contacted emergency services. First responders continued lifesaving efforts before the child was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police Investigate Mother’s Alleged Intoxication
Investigators said the homeowner reported that Farber had consumed approximately five 25-ounce beers during the roughly two hours she was at the property. Police also reported observing signs of impairment when they arrived.
According to the reported affidavit, Farber later told investigators that she had been in the pool briefly before sitting down and that she believed she had fallen asleep. Authorities subsequently obtained a warrant to test her blood for alcohol and drugs.
The circumstances surrounding the drowning remain part of the investigation. The child has not been publicly identified.
Mother Faces Neglect Charge
Farber was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on September 19 and faces a charge of neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
Court records indicate that her bond was set at $25,000 cash, with an initial court hearing scheduled for September 23. The case remains pending, and the allegations against Farber have not been established as facts in court.
