Texas father arrested after 8-month-old toddler drowns in bathtub while he plays video games

If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.

BURKBURNETT, TEXAS: A Texas father has been taken into custody in relation to the death of his 8-month-old daughter, who tragically drowned in a bathtub in 2023.

According to Law & Crime, the 20-year-old father Justin Ray Kidwell was playing video games and failed to check on the child.

Kidwell was apprehended on Monday in Burkburnett, approximately 150 miles northwest of Dallas, and indicted with one count of felony murder in connection with the child's demise.

Burkburnett Fire Department found the deceased 8-month-old baby girl

On May 14, 2023, authorities received a 911 call from a residence on South Avenue B reporting that a baby was not breathing.

Upon arrival, the Burkburnett Fire Department discovered the baby girl deceased after being removed from the bathtub.

The police and Texas Rangers collaborated for several months, ultimately determining that the baby had been left unattended in the bath with the water running, resulting in her drowning.

Authorities described it as a profoundly tragic accident. They discovered that Justin Kidwell, the father, was engrossed in playing video games and failed to supervise his daughter.

Police investigators examined the father's computer records and observed that he was indeed playing games while his daughter was left unattended.

The police report stated, “The forensic examination of electronic devices, notably the father’s computer, revealed a timeline that indicated the father, Justin Kidwell, who was the only adult home at the time, was engrossed in video games while the child was left unsupervised.”

On Monday, March 4, 2024, Kidwell was arrested for felony murder, and a bond of $500,000 was set.

Police report reveals Justin Kidswell's prior history of child abuse

The police department said this sad event reminds us how important it is for parents to watch over their kids. They feel sorry for everyone affected by this sad event.

They urge all parents and caregivers to remain vigilant and prioritize children's safety in all situations.

Despite being only 20 years old, this isn't Kidwell's first encounter with legal trouble involving harming a child.

In December 2022, he confessed to wrongdoing involving a child and received a three-year probation as a consequence.

Prosecutors asserted that in August 2021, he endangered a young girl by leaving THC edibles within her reach. They further alleged that he failed to seek assistance for the girl when she required it.

Following the death of his daughter last year, the Wichita County District Attorney’s Office alleges that he violated the terms of his probation.

They are seeking a conviction for his actions involving the little girl. Kidwell allegedly failed to adhere to the conditions of his probation, including maintaining employment, paying fines, and communicating with his probation officer.