19-year-old mom charged in bathtub drowning death of her toddler, NC cops say
A 19-year-old mom is charged in the drowning death of her young daughter, North Carolina police said.
The Fayetteville Police Department said officers responded April 9 to a home where the toddler was found unconscious.
“Life-saving measures were attempted and the 1-year-old was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in critical condition,” police wrote April 23 in a news release. “The investigation determined the 1-year-old was left unattended in a bathtub by her mother and subsequently drowned.”
The girl’s mom, identified as Mariah Dawson of Fayetteville, is now charged with second-degree murder and felony child abuse. Police in their news release didn’t list attorney information for Dawson, who was arrested and booked into the Cumberland County jail.
Police also didn’t share the name of the child or reveal more details about what they believe happened in the bathtub. McClatchy News reached out for additional information and is awaiting a response.
Fayetteville is a roughly 65-mile drive south from Raleigh.
This story was originally published April 24, 2025 at 1:52 PM with the headline "19-year-old mom charged in bathtub drowning death of her toddler, NC cops say."
