Woman charged in baby's death

EPHRATA — A Moses Lake woman is accused of letting her child drown while she used her computer.

Brandi A. Smith, 19, is charged with manslaughter in the first degree in the March 2009 death of her 9-month old son.

The woman allegedly left her 2-year-old son and his 9-month-old brother in the tub, with the water running, while she left to log on to a Web-based chat program around 9 a.m., according to a Grant County sheriff’s report.

A neighbor allegedly heard Smith start filling the tub, and then several minutes later heard Smith screaming. When he went to investigate, he found Smith doing CPR on her younger son and water coming out of the boy’s mouth, according to a police report. The tub was reportedly an inch below full when he looked into the bathroom.

The man allegedly told police Smith and his brother spent too much time on the computer, warning them Child Protective Services would take their children away if they didn’t start cleaning the apartment.

Smith reportedly told police she turned on the computer and went to fold some laundry before her older son entered the room, alerting her something was wrong. Detectives allegedly found two messages on the chat program before the woman called 9-1-1.

Investigators accused Smith was using the computer for about 22 minutes.

The tub takes about 21 minutes to almost fill up, according a police report.