Mother arrested for negligent homicide after falling asleep with baby in bathtub

Mar 12, 2025

A mother was arrested for negligent homicide after she allegedly fell asleep with her two-month-old daughter in a bathtub after consuming several alcoholic drinks.

Taylor Nichole Trusty, 24, was arrested on suspicion of damaging a jail or place of confinement, a third-degree felony; and negligent homicide, a class A misdemeanor, the affidavit states.

On Friday, a deputy with the Utah County Sheriff's Office was contacted about a baby girl found dead the day before.

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The deputy and a few detectives arrived at the home and spoke to the child's mother, identified as Trusty.

Trusty told authorities she regularly takes baths lasting three to four hours and often falls asleep.

She said she brought her baby into the bathroom in a bouncy chair, but that when the baby became fussy and started crying, she put her on her lap just above the water line.

Trusty said she "must have fallen asleep" and was woken up by her seven-year-old daughter, who was concerned about her baby sister being face down in the water.

It is unclear how long Trusty was asleep.

Trusty said she got out of the bath and picked up her baby, who was no longer breathing. She said she didn't know what to do, so she wrapped her baby in a towel and patted her on the back in an attempt to restart her breathing.

The seven-year-old girl went to find her grandma and told her to call emergency services.

Just before the bath, Trustly had allegedly consumed three to four shots of hard liquor and two alcoholic seltzer beverages.

Trusty was arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail.

While being transported to the jail, the affidavit states she spit on the center console.

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