In a devastating incident in Oklahoma, a mother has been charged with child neglect after her 5-month-old son died when she reportedly fell asleep while intoxicated and ended up resting on him. According to law enforcement, the infant was found unresponsive in the early morning hours, and the mother’s blood-alcohol concentration was recorded at 0.309 — nearly four times the legal driving limit in the state.
Co-Sleeping Amid Alcohol Use
Law enforcement in Bixby were dispatched to the residence after the infant’s father discovered his son under the mother’s shoulder and unresponsive. Officials report the father had been asleep on the couch while the mother, after drinking, went to bed with the child. Both parents admitted they regularly allowed the infant to share the bed with them. The mother told officers she had consumed a six-pack of beer and a shot of rum the previous evening, and acknowledged her ongoing battle with postpartum depression, exacerbated in recent weeks.
Arrest and Charges
Investigators say when officers arrived, the mother was difficult to awaken, smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and required assistance getting to a couch. A blood draw taken about three hours later returned a BAC of 0.309. While the infant’s father assisted with CPR, the baby was declared dead. The mother, aged 31, has been booked on charges of child neglect — despite the tragic outcome. Family members say she had resumed drinking about six weeks after giving birth, having abstained during her pregnancy.
Broader Concerns: Infant Safety and Substance Use
This case underscores the serious risks of co-sleeping combined with adult intoxication. Authorities emphasise that alcohol consumption can severely impair a caregiver’s responsiveness and awareness, creating a dangerous situation — especially when an infant is in the same sleeping environment. Child-welfare experts continue to recommend separate sleeping surfaces for infants and caution against bed-sharing with adults under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
