A couple from Cincinnati, Ohio, has avoided a prison sentence after pleading guilty in connection with the drowning death of their infant son. Degary Burbridge and Kiara Nettles were sentenced to 90 days at the River City Correctional Center and will serve five years of probation following the tragic incident that occurred in May 2025.
Details of the Incident
According to Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich, the couple left their baby unattended in a baby bathtub filled with water. Prosecutors stated that a third person later inquired about the child, prompting Burbridge and Nettles to check on him. Authorities reported that they found the baby face down and unresponsive in the water.
Legal Proceedings
The couple originally faced involuntary manslaughter charges, but those charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. The sentencing was handed down by a Hamilton County judge, who opted for a rehabilitative approach rather than incarceration. The couple will also be required to comply with probation conditions, which may include parenting classes and supervised visits with any future children.
The case has drawn attention to the dangers of leaving infants unattended during bath time, with child safety advocates emphasizing that even a few inches of water can pose a fatal risk to young children.
