Olivia Miller: Mom charged after son drowns in bathtub as 'varying stories' surface during investigation
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN: A 23-year-old mother from Michigan is confronting numerous felony charges related to the demise of her infant son.
The child reportedly drowned when she purportedly left him unattended in the bathtub for a minimum of 20 minutes while engrossed in her cell phone.
According to Law&Crime, Olivia Miller was arrested on Thursday, charged with one count of homicide— involuntary manslaughter, and one count of second-degree child abuse in connection with the passing of 8-month-old Asher Johnson.
Police reported to Olivia Miller’s home
On November 22, 2023, Olivia Miller, the mother, dialed 911, informing the emergency dispatcher that her son had drowned in the bathtub at their residence in the 4600 block of 16 Mile Road Northwest, Grand Rapids.
Upon police arrival, first responders discovered the infant lying face up on the floor and initiated life-saving measures.
The child was subsequently transported to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, where medical professionals pronounced him dead.
In a later interview, Miller recounted placing her son in a partially filled bathtub with water flowing, then stepping into an adjacent room to attend to laundry.
She returned after approximately five minutes only to find her son floating face up in the water, with his mouth and nose submerged.
Miller mentioned attempting to resuscitate Asher until authorities arrived.
According to deputies statement, "Throughout the investigation, Olivia (Miller) gave varying stories of what occurred surrounding Asher’s death."
Investigators found Olivia Miller’s cell phone data
According to the report, investigators acquired data from Miller's cell phone that seemed to contradict her statements to the police.
The data indicated that Miller started using her phone for various purposes at 3:17 p.m. and continued without a significant break, except for an 18-second pause, until she called 911 21 minutes later.
Roughly four minutes before dialing 911, Miller allegedly sent a text to her dad stating, "Just trying to talk while I have time while Asher's taking a nap."
Before calling 911, she reportedly contacted Asher's paternal grandmother twice, informing her that the child had drowned. The county's chief medical examiner, in an autopsy, determined drowning as Asher's cause of death.
The medical examiner estimated that the infant had been on his back on the floor for a minimum of 20 minutes before authorities reached Miller's residence.
Currently held at the Kent County Jail, Miller pleaded not guilty to all charges during her arraignment on Friday in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Miller's attorney, Frank Stanley, emphasized the absence of intent in Miller's actions, calling it a tragic situation.
He highlighted Miller's emotional suffering and love for her deceased child. Video footage from the hearing showed Miller visibly emotional and tearful throughout.
Following Asher's death, Miller established a GoFundMe account that had gathered $4,475 as of Monday.
