POINSETT COUNTY, Ark. – A woman was arrested Tuesday in connection to the drowning of a 17-year-old boy in Poinsett County.
Caitlyn Brawley, 23, of Dyess, faces charges of negligent homicide and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in connection to the tragic incident that took place on June 7.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Brawley, along with the juvenile and at least one other individual, decided to go swimming in Rivervale on the day of the incident. On their way, Brawley reportedly stopped at a liquor store where she purchased two bottles of hard liquor and two six-packs of Miller Lite beer. The group later convened at a gas station around 6:11 PM before heading to the river.
An interviewee, whose name was redacted from the report, claimed that all three individuals entered the water upon reaching the river and started drinking. The witness stated that both Brawley and the juvenile, who was reportedly not a strong swimmer, consumed more alcohol than they did.
The witness added that when they ventured deeper into the water, the juvenile was caught in a current and started being pulled away. Brawley allegedly grabbed the juvenile but let go out of fear that she herself would drown.
Brawley’s account to investigators largely corroborated the witness’s statement. She admitted to purchasing the alcohol and confirmed that both individuals accompanying her, including the juvenile, had consumed alcohol. Brawley also said that she had let go of the juvenile when she became afraid while in the water.
The deceased juvenile was found at approximately 2 AM the following morning. A witness had informed responding officers that both Brawley and the juvenile were “drunk” at the time of the incident. The toxicology report later revealed that the juvenile had a blood alcohol level of 0.18 at the time of his death.
Brawley was arrested at 3:08 PM on August 1 and was released from jail at 12:30 PM on August 2. She now faces charges of negligent homicide and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, both classified as Class A misdemeanors in Arkansas. These carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
Be the first to comment