In a tragic case that has gripped the community, a 31-year-old man from Arkansas faces manslaughter charges following the drowning of his infant son. This charge comes after an extensive four-month investigation into the heartbreaking incident.

James Dawson, who resides in Lepanto, has been accused of manslaughter as well as endangering the welfare of a minor. The charges were reported by NEA Report.

The incident unfolded on the evening of October 2, 2025, when local authorities responded to a distress call. The infant had been taken to Le Bonheur hospital, where, tragically, he passed away the following day.

According to the child’s mother, she had stepped out to attend to a family pet at her father’s house. During her absence, Dawson had placed their baby in the bath and inadvertently left the water running. Upon her return, she heard the water and questioned Dawson, to which he reportedly responded with alarm, realizing the child was still in the bathroom. This account is detailed in an affidavit.

Rushing to the bathroom, they discovered their son face down in the tub. In a desperate attempt to save him, Dawson performed CPR while the mother called emergency services.

Dawson corroborated the mother’s account, explaining that he had left their two older children occupied with a tablet and playing in another room while he attended to the baby, who had become fussy. The incident has left the community reeling and highlights the devastating consequences of a momentary lapse in attention.

He said he left the baby alone in with the bath water running while he went to seat the other two children at the table for dinner, but they argued because they didn’t want to eat what the mother had prepared.

Then, he said, he took a bowl and sat down to eat because it just “‘slipped’ his mind” that he’d left the baby in the tub. The nother returned “probably a minute later,” he said.

Dawson was arrested on February 3 and promptly released. A bond and court date were not listed.