Ladesha Powe, 29, and Jose Roldan Jr., 40.Photo:Kalamazoo County Jail (2)
Kalamazoo County Jail (2)
A Michigan couple is charged with involuntary manslaughter after allegedly smothering their 6-month-old daughter who became wedged in the couch while they were intoxicated, authorities said.
The couple allegedly admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana while caring for their daughter Faith Hope Roldan in December 2023, court documents state, according toFox 17.
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Roldan allegedly told police he drank about nine or 10 “tall boys” or 25-ounce cans of alcoholic beverages, the court documents show,WWMTreports. Powe said she drank five alcoholic beverages. They both smoked marijuana, the documents reportedly state.
Police found footage from video cameras inside the home allegedly showing the couple drinking in the living room the night before, the affidavit says, Fox 17 reports.
Powe allegedly told police that she was “far gone, wasted maybe, like very, very wasted,” when she fell asleep with her daughter in her arms, WWMT reports.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said in court, WOOD reports. “It’s something that was completely unnecessary. It should have never happened.
“They both were in a position where they were responsible for caring for this young child,” he said. “They failed in that regard in a grossly negligent way.”
They are each being held on $100,000 bonds. It is unclear whether they have entered pleas or if they have retained attorneys who can speak on their behalf.
source: people.com
