Two Braxton County parents were arrested last week after a 4-month-old baby died with alcohol in her system.
The Braxton County Sheriff’s Department said James Joseph Smith, 34, and Angel Talbert, 23, both of Gassaway, have been charged with first-degree murder, child negligence resulting in death, and conspiracy.
The baby died on November 16th, and on April 10th, deputies got the medical examination findings, which showed that the baby’s liver tissue tested positive for ethanol with a level of 3.210. According to prosecution documents, a doctor informed deputies that 3.210 would kill an infant kid.
According to court filings, Smith and Talbert rubbed alcohol on the baby’s gums practically every day for a month before the baby died, when the baby became uncomfortable and fussy.
During the couple’s initial interview in November, Smith told deputies that Talbert awoke to use the restroom between 4 and 5 a.m. and told him to check on the infant. According to court documents, he stated that the infant was not breathing and was lying face down.
According to Smith, Talbert immediately contacted 911 and began performing CPR. They eventually got the infant into their vehicle and were on their way to the hospital when they encountered the ambulance at the bottom of the driveway, according to court filings.
The baby was placed in an ambulance at 5:15 a.m., and at 5:32 a.m., he was pronounced dead, according to deputies.
While deputies were at the couple’s house, they discovered roaches crawling in various locations and no running water in the kitchen or bathroom.
Smith informed investigators that they utilized a tap in the rear room to get water and would fill containers to transport to the restroom and kitchen as needed. Deputies discovered smoking equipment in the rear room, which they believe was used to smoke THC.
After obtaining the medical examination results in April, the couple was interviewed twice more, and Smith admitted that they both had been putting alcohol on the baby’s gums.
Smith and Talbert are both in the Central Regional Jail with no bond set.