A Detroit mom withheld life-saving medication from her 4-year-old son as the kid suffered a series of seizures and died, cops said.
Latoya Washington, 37, is also accused of discharging her son, Curtis, from the hospital against medical advice just two days before his death, reported the Detroit News.
The mother was charged and arraigned in 46th District Court in her hometown of Southfield, Mich. on Tuesday on charges of manslaughter, according to police and court records.
Officers and medics were called to her apartment to a report of a child not breathing on Jan. 25, 2025, according to police.
Little Curtis was found unconscious and unresponsive and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died.
Authorities later learned that just two days earlier, the boy had suffered numerous seizures and was taken to a hospital, where staff stabilized him and prescribed him medication to prevent further episodes, investigators said.
But Washington allegedly had her son discharged when his condition improved, and didn’t provide him his prescribed medication, resulting in further seizures on Jan. 24 and Jan. 25, said police.
“This case is a heartbreaking reminder that children, especially those with medical conditions, depend entirely on the adults responsible for their care,” Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren said in a statement.
“Parents and caregivers must take medical concerns seriously, follow treatment plans, and seek immediate medical attention when a child’s condition worsens,” Barren continued. “A vulnerable child cannot advocate for themselves, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being.”
Washington posted a $20,000 bond on Tuesday and was released, but ordered to wear a GPS device.
She is scheduled back in court on July 2.