A man in Las Vegas is facing murder charges after an infant reportedly died while in his care. Alejandro Pantoja, 22, was with a baby and an older child last month when the baby girl died. His girlfriend was reportedly at work when he put the baby in the bathtub to calm her down.
Pantoja allegedly fell asleep, and the baby drowned. Now, the young father is facing charges of murder and neglect and could spend 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
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Pantoja was reportedly the only adult at home when the baby died.
Pantoja was with his baby girl during the afternoon, according to KLAS. He allegedly told police he works overnight and got home around 8:15 a.m.
He reportedly had breakfast with his two children and realized the baby needed her diaper changed. He allegedly took her to the shower to clean her off and left her there to “calm down” because she was crying.
Pantoja allegedly went to check on another child after leaving the baby in the shower.
According to KLAS, Pantoja told police he left her baby in the shower in a chair with the water falling on her from the chest down. He allegedly went to the bedroom with the other child and ended up falling asleep.
Pantoja was reportedly unaware of how long he was asleep.
Pantoja allegedly told police conflicting stories about when he went to sleep. He said he was sleeping for 30 minutes or one hour, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. When he woke up, he allegedly saw water all over the floor and found the baby lying face down in the bathtub.
He told police he ran to a neighbor for help.
The Las Vegas Journal-Review reported Pantoja didn’t have a phone, so he went to a neighbor’s apartment to call 911. Per KLAS, the neighbor said he had the baby in his arms, and her eyes were open “but nothing was there.”
When police arrived, the floor of the apartment was covered in water. The police report also noted an older child was in the apartment in a stroller, but the report didn’t give details about the child’s age, according to the newspaper.
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The young father apparently knew he shouldn’t have left the baby alone.
Pantoja allegedly said he knew it was unsafe to leave the baby in the tub. “I know I’m one hundred percent responsible,” Pantoja he told police, according to KLAS. “I feel like I’m not responsible enough for babies.” He added, “nothing has ever really happened before.”
Police arrested Pantoja, and he was later charged with second-degree murder and one charge of child abuse/neglect. He is due in court on November 7. It was unclear if he has obtained a lawyer.
