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Published: November 12, 2009
Updated: 11/12/2009 07:57 pm
A teenage mom whose 11-month-old son died after being left unattended in a bathtub has been charged with manslaughter, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office said today.
Jessica Barnes, 19, of Bradenton, is being held at the Manatee County Jail. Bail has not been set, the sheriff's office said.
On May 31, Barnes allegedly placed her son, Ryan Walter Gerken, in a tub filled with 1 foot of water and left the bathroom to get his clothing and towel.
Evidence shows the boy was left unattended for five to 10 minutes, the sheriff's office said. Barnes told investigators she lost track of time and became concerned when she didn't hear her son playing and splashing.
She tried to administer CPR and called 911. Ryan died June 3.
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