A North Texas woman stands accused in the death of an infant who authorities say was given an overdose of antihistamine while in her care. Now, she faces a charge of criminally negligent homicide, a state jail felony.
In late May, Adonna Cheree Townsend babysat Emma Nicole Cox-Jenkins, a two-month-old girl whose mother, Kayla Cox, went out of town over a weekend. Reportedly, Townsend, 28, was also the roommate of the baby’s mother.
Specifically, on May 23, officers responded to a call about a baby who stopped breathing, according to a press release from the Keene Police Department issued Tuesday. They said that, upon arrival, the two-month-old girl showed no signs of life. Although officers attempted to perform “live saving measures” until paramedics arrived, the baby was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Keene police said they observed “no signs of additional trauma to the child.” An investigator interviewed Townsend, the person who was in custody of the child at the time.
Police said they had “insufficient evidence to determine a cause of death.” However, the press release stated the investigation remained open pending a ruling from the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office.
Then, on July 31, the medical examiner ruled the infant’s death a homicide after finding “the presence of diphenhydramine,” an antihistamine, in the baby’s system.
Subsequently, a police investigator re-interviewed Townsend. Keene Police Chief Emmitt Jackson told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram the coroner ruled the death a homicide due to the ingestion of a sleep aid. Jackson said when a Keene police investigator spoke to Townsend “she admitted to administering the sleep aid.”
The over-the-counter diphenhydramine is known as Benadryl, according to WebMD. It is used to relieve allergy symptoms. It also can cause drowsiness. It is not known what product Townsend allegedly gave the baby; however, the brand name’s online dosing guide says adult products are not for children under six-years-old. None of the children’s ingestible products are for youngsters under two-years-old.
“As a result of this interview, and in consultation with the Johnson County District Attorney, the Keene Police Department issued a warrant for Townsend’s arrest on the charge of criminally negligent homicide,” according to the police statement.
Grand Prairie police arrested Townsend Tuesday, according to jail records. She was booked at the Tarrant County Corrections Center in Fort Worth. As of Wednesday morning, bond was not set yet.
The baby’s family spoke to KXAS in the days after the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide but before releasing the cause of death. Cox, the infant’s mother, said she will always regret leaving that May weekend. “I kissed her and I put her in the car and I told my son goodbye as well and I never got to see her again, not alive,” said the grieving parent. Cox said she received a phone call that her daughter was being rushed to the hospital. “The next thing I knew they were telling me that she had passed away and there was nothing they could do.”
Billy Jenkins, the baby’s father stated: “Nobody should have to go through this.” He recalled the day Emma was born. “I remember bringing her home,” he said tearfully. “It was one of the greatest days of my life but like that it was over, just as quick as it began.”
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