Baby Drowns In Bathtub While Siblings Continue Bathing As Mother Checks Laundry

An inquest in Lincolnshire, England, concluded in its inquiry on Tuesday, where a 13-month-old boy drowned in the bathtub at his home, as the mother went to check on the washing at their home for not more than two minutes.

The incident happened in June, where Amy Rhode took her son Oliver and his two-year-old twin siblings and put them in the bath. She then went to check on the washing and could hear her children singing. Suddenly, she heard one of them shout and rushed to the bathroom only to find Oliver under water. She grabbed the boy and “pulled the plug out of the bath."

She immediately called 999 and started giving the boy CPR. Paramedics rushed to the house and took the baby to a nearby hospital. However, the baby, who suffered a brain injury, couldn’t be saved.

Detective Sergeant Claire Rimmer of Lincolnshire Police, who read from a police report said, no action was taken against the family, post the incident.

"Amy had decided to give them a bath. We have heard evidence in a police interview given by Amy. Mrs Rhode states that she took the children upstairs of theiir home and put them in the bath. She needed to check on the washing on the radiator. She came back and found the children were playing and laughing. She then went to the bedroom to sort the washing, when the incident took place” the inquest heard, Lincolnshire Live reported.

The family has donated Oliver’s heart, kidneys and liver to help other children.

"Oliver's parents consented to organ donation and that is something they should take great credit for. We hope that will bring life to other children. In summary, this was a tragic accident and the family will have to live with this for the rest of their lives,” Assistant coroner for Lincolnshire, Marianne Johnson said.

“The parents showed love and care of the children. Mrs Rhode went to check washing and get nappies. There is evidence that she was doing this. She believed he was able to support himself in the bath. She was listening out and could hear children singing. There is no evidence of any act by Amy to cause Oliver to drown. A young child of that age could drown in a matter of seconds,” she said.