Lepanto Man Charged With Manslaughter After Infant Found Unresponsive in Bathtub

LEPANTO, Ark. — A Lepanto man has been charged with manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a minor following the death of an 11-month-old child who was found unresponsive in a bathtub, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office.

James Dawson, 31, of Lepanto, is charged with manslaughter, a Class B felony, and first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, a Class D felony.

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According to the affidavit, Lepanto Fire Department and Lepanto Police Department were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of West Henry Street around 7:24 p.m. on Oct. 2, 2025, after a 911 call reported an unresponsive infant who had allegedly drowned. The child was transported to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

Investigators said Lt. Devon Stroud conducted a non-custodial interview with Mrs. Dawson at Le Bonheur later that night. Mrs. Dawson told investigators she had left the residence earlier in the evening to feed a dog at her father’s house and planned to return shortly. She said she went to her father’s home, fed the dog, and remained on the phone with another individual while there.

Mrs. Dawson said she returned home and heard water running. She asked Mr. Dawson why the water was running, to which he allegedly said, “Oh my God, the baby’s in there.”

When they found the child, he was lying facedown in the bathtub. The child was limp as they removed him from the tub and began CPR. 911 was called at 7:24 PM. Mr. Dawson reportedly kept saying “It’s all my fault,” and that he “forgot.”

Lt. Stroud later conducted a non-custodial interview with James Dawson, according to the affidavit. Dawson told investigators he arrived home earlier in the evening and intended to give the infant a bath before bedtime. He said he placed the child in a bath seat, turned the water on, and briefly left the bathroom to attend to Juvenile 2 and Juvenile 3. Dawson said when Mrs. Dawson returned home and heard the water running, both ran to the bathroom, where he found the child limp and unresponsive.

Investigators executed a search warrant at the residence and reported observing water on the bathroom floor near where the incident occurred. Detectives noted the bathroom was located on the opposite side of the home from where Dawson said he had been sitting. Investigators also documented items inside the living room, including a recliner and food containers, during the search.

A child re-enactment was later conducted at the residence, according to the affidavit. Investigators documented the water level in the bathtub and reviewed home surveillance video showing Mrs. Dawson leaving and returning to the residence, as well as Dawson exiting the home and calling out to Juvenile 2 and Juvenile 3 before running toward a neighboring residence for help.

Based on the investigation, authorities determined there was probable cause to arrest Dawson in connection with the infant’s death. He was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 3. He was released on an OR bond, authorities said.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.