Mom browsed Internet as child drowned in tub, investigators allege

Mother reportedly left two children unattended, now faces involuntary manslaughter related to 13-month-old’s death.

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By Andrea Chaffin, Staff Writer Updated 10:22 AM Wednesday, July 6, 2011

SPRINGFIELD — The mother of a 13-month-old drowning victim pleaded not guilty to one misdemeanor count of child endangering, one felony count of child endangering and one count of involuntary manslaughter in Clark County Municipal Court on Monday.

Danita Torres, 27, of 1063 Belmont Ave., is accused of leaving her 13-month-old and 2-year-old sons in a bathtub unattended while she browsed the Internet and posted Facebook statuses on her cellphone.

The 13-month-old was taken in an ambulance to Community Hospital, but did not survive. The 2-year-old was not injured.

Torres called 911 the morning  of May 1 and stated that she returned to the bathroom and found the younger child submerged in water. Investigations revealed that there had been 16 minutes of uninterrupted Internet activity on Torres’ cellphone, just three minutes before the 911 call.

A $15,000 bail has been set for Torres, but not posted.

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