Jose Roldan and Ladesha Powe: Couple charged as child suffocates under sleeping father's weight on couch

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KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN: Authorities have levied charges of involuntary manslaughter against a Michigan couple for allegedly suffocating their 6-month-old daughter, who became trapped in the couch while they were intoxicated. 

Jose Antonia Roldan Jr, aged 40, and Ladesha Ann Powe, aged 29, appeared in court via online means on Wednesday to face accusations of involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse, as per reports from People.

As per court records, Jose Roldan and Ladesha Powe purportedly confessed to consuming alcohol and marijuana while looking after their daughter, Faith Hope Roldan, in December 2023.

Authorities discover ‘unresponsive’ 6-month-old toddler in Michigan couple’s home

On December 13, 2023, authorities responded to a residence on Davis Street in Kalamazoo at approximately 8 a.m., following a report of an unconscious baby. 

Allegedly, Jose Roldan stated that he had fallen asleep on the living room couch with the infant beside him. Upon awakening, he discovered the 6-month-old lodged between the seat and back cushion, unresponsive. 

Roldan then woke Powe, the child's mother, and contacted emergency services. Subsequently, the infant was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital, where she was declared deceased.

What did Jose Roldan and Ladesha Powe report?

According to court documents, Roldan allegedly disclosed to the police that he consumed approximately nine or ten "tall boys," equivalent to 25-ounce cans of alcoholic beverages. 

Powe stated she consumed five alcoholic drinks. Additionally, both individuals admitted to smoking marijuana, as per the documents. 

Surveillance footage from cameras inside their residence reportedly depicts the couple drinking in the living room during the night. 

Roldan is observed reclining on the couch while Powe is seated at the end, holding the baby. Subsequently, Powe is seen dozing off, leading to the baby slipping from her arms and becoming lodged between her father and the couch's back cushion. 

Allegedly, Powe informed the police that she was inebriated and heavily intoxicated when she fell asleep with her daughter. 

During Roldan's slumber, he inadvertently shifted, causing the baby to be smothered, evident from the infant's distress exhibited by kicking and crying before becoming motionless. 

The footage captures Powe waking up, searching for the baby, and then retiring to the bedroom for the remainder of the night. 

The medical examiner concluded that the baby's cause of death was mechanical asphyxia, and the manner of death was deemed homicide. 

Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting expressed in court, "It's heartbreaking, It’s something that was completely unnecessary. It should have never happened. They both were in a position where they were responsible for caring for this young child. They failed in that regard in a grossly negligent way." 

Both defendants are being detained on $100,000 bonds. Their plea statuses and legal representation remain undisclosed at this time.