A Michigan mother is facing charges in connection with the death of her baby, who drowned in the bathtub. Asher J. Johnson was only 8 months old when he drowned in the bathtub in his Sparta Township home in November 2023. His mother, 23-year-old Olivia Miller, was reportedly with the child but may have been distracted in the minutes leading up to his death.
Miller gave police conflicting stories about what happened to Asher the night he died, according to ABC 13, but investigators believe they may have determined part of the problem. Miller allegedly used her phone for at least 20 minutes leading up to the discovery of Asher's body, with the most extended idle period being just 18 seconds. Now, she's potentially facing time in prison on charges of involuntary manslaughter and child abuse.
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The mother and baby were home alone at the time of the accident.
MLive reported that Miller and Asher were alone at home in the 4600 block of 16 Mile Road NW, on the afternoon of November 22. According to court documents obtained by the news outlet, Miller told police she put the baby in the tub with the water running and went to the adjacent laundry room for five minutes, Kent County Sheriff's Deputy Anna Birkeland wrote in a probable cause statement.
"Throughout the investigation, Olivia gave varying stories of what occurred surrounding Asher's death," she wrote.
The mother reportedly tried to get in touch with the baby's father before calling 911.
Police obtained phone records and determined the mother had called her boyfriend, Keenan Johnson, twice before calling 911, per MLive. She also allegedly texted her father, Donald Miller, and said, "Just trying to talk while I have time while Asher's taking a nap."
Police arrived in minutes.
Officers arrived at the home within seven minutes and performed lifesaving measures on the baby. He was taken to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, MLive repotted.
Dr. Stephen Cohle, a forensic pathologist, determined the child had been on the floor at least 20 minutes before the police arrived. The cause of death was said to be drowning.
Miller may have been distracted.
Court documents show that Miller used her phone from 3:17 p.m. until she called 911 at 3:38 p.m. During that time, investigators determined she only stopped using the phone for 18 seconds, ABC 13 reported.
Miller created a GoFundMe account for her son's final expenses.
"My name is Olivia I'm the mother of Asher j Johnson, and his father is Keenan Johnson. God had called his beautiful angel home the day before thanksgiving. He was such a kind hearted, gentle little boy, that brought so many people joy," she wrote on the page. "His smile light up an entire room and just fulfilled peoples hearts. We are asking friends and family to come together, for any type of help. This is not easy nor will it be easy anytime soon."
It has raised nearly all of its $5,000 goal thus far.
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The mother could face a lengthy prison term.
Miller was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of second-degree child abuse. She was being held in the Kent County Jail on a $300,000 bond, according to court records. Per Michigan law, if convicted of manslaughter, she could face a maximum of 15 years in prison.
