Mom who caused 'miracle' baby boy to drown in Motel 6 bathtub after New Year's bender learns her fate

A Kentucky pistillate is headed to situation for astir a decennary aft she took a bath with her 3-month-old lad connected New Year's Day portion nether the power of drugs and fell asleep, causing the lad to drown.

Amber Winstead, 36, was sentenced Thursday to 9 years down bars aft she pleaded blameworthy successful November to manslaughter successful the decease of Ki'Arri Rayne Winstead, who died astatine a motel successful Louisville connected Jan. 1. Prosecutors told Law&Crime Winstead volition service 7 years for manslaughter, positive different 2 years for a parole usurpation from a 2021 narcotics possession case. She is required to service 85 percent of her manslaughter condemnation earlier she is eligible for parole.

As Law&Crime previously reported, cops responded to a Motel 6 connected Airport Hotel Boulevard astir 4:30 a.m. wherever they recovered an unresponsive infant. They aboriginal learned Winstead got into the bath with the lad and fell asleep. Hours later, idiosyncratic woke up Winstead. Ki'Arri was submerged successful the h2o and not breathing. First responders pronounced him dormant astatine the scene.

As portion of the plea agreement, a persistent felony offender complaint was dropped, according to local Fox affiliate WDRB.

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Winstead was arrested successful the ceremonial location parking lot, moments earlier her lad was laid to rest, her lawyer said. Bryce Dean said his lawsuit would similar to beryllium connected location apprehension earlier she is sentenced.

"She would similar to sojourn her child's grave. She would similar to person conscionable a small spot of closure earlier she goes to DOC," Dean said, per CBS affiliate WLKY.

Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Trish Morris said she would see the request, saying she has "obvious empathy" for the defendant. It's unclear if Winstead was capable to spot her son's sedate earlier her sentence.

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"The concern is tragic each around," the justice reportedly said.

Ki'Arri's obituary said helium was calved to his "loving mother" connected Sept. 24, 2024.

"Ki'Arri was a small angel, a occurrence babe whose bubbly property and infectious joyousness lit up each country helium entered. He was a precious bundle of happiness, ever calm and content, bringing bid to those astir him. He ne'er cried, and his gentle, blessed demeanor made him a cleanable small feline who was loved profoundly by his family," the obituary said.