Dad charged after baby drowns in tub (Des Moines, Iowa)

Dad DUSTIN NYONEE was playing on his computer while his 3 children--a 6-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 20-month-old--were taking a bath unsupervised. The baby apparently hit her head and drowned. Dad was babysitting while Mom was working. Dad is facing 3 counts of child endangerment including one felony charge.

http://www.kcci.com/news/20324047/detail.html

Father Charged After Baby Drowns In Tub
Police Say Dustin Nyonee Left 3 Children To Bathe Alone
POSTED: 8:17 pm CDT August 7, 2009UPDATED: 9:44 am CDT August 8, 2009

DES MOINES, Iowa -- A Des Moines father has been arrested after his daughter drowned in the family bathtub.

Police said Dustin Nyonee was playing on a computer while his three young children were taking a bath alone.

Nyonee faces three counts of child endangerment, including one felony charge. He could be sentenced to 50 years in prison if convicted on all the charges.

"It's like really sad though, you know, because it's a little baby," said neighbor Joseph Meja, who said he's known the family for five years. "They're nice. They're nice neighbors."

Police said that on Thursday night, Nyonee let his 6-year-old, 3-year-old and 20-month-old take a bath while he was downstairs.

"We believe he was on the computer," said Des Moines police Sgt. Lori Lavorato. "During the bath, the kids were playing around and the 20-month-old possibly hit her head on the tub and that caused her to fall under water."

Police said the 6-year-old didn't know what to do except clean it up, so she drained the tub and picked up her little sister. They said she waited about 30 minutes before getting her dad.

"It's disturbing. It's sad," said Lavorato. "You never leave a 20-month-old child alone."

Police said Nyonee took the baby, Celine, to Blank Children's Hospital but left the other children home alone.

Investigators said the children's' mother was at work last night when the baby drowned. The other two children are with her while Nyonee remains in police custody.