‘Vodka Shot Mom’ Left Baby to Drown in Bathtub: Cops
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖First responders initially believed the infant's death was due to pneumonia, as reported by the family.
- ❖Police found the bathtub wet during their investigation, raising suspicions about the mother's account.
- ❖Edith Estrada Sigala claimed she put her son in the bathtub for steamy air to help his cough and then fell asleep while doing laundry.
- ❖Detectives discovered numerous empty alcohol containers in Edith's apartment.
- ❖Edith admitted to taking one shot of Pink Whitney vodka on the day of the incident and being 'tipsy' from drinking whiskey the night before.
- ❖A detective noted a persistent smell of alcohol on Edith, challenging her claim of only one shot and suggesting she was not being fully truthful.
- ❖Edith eventually conceded she might have a drinking problem.
- ❖She was arrested and charged with child abuse resulting in death, with a trial slated for March 2026.
Insights
1Initial Response and Shifting Suspicion
First responders initially arrived believing the infant's death was a medical emergency related to pneumonia. However, police quickly grew suspicious upon discovering a wet bathtub and inconsistencies in the mother's narrative, suggesting potential foul play or negligence.
An EMT tells an officer, 'the baby's probably not going to make it... it doesn't seem like anything felt, but... baby's been a little sick with some respiratory stuff.' () Later, officers note, 'the bathtub was wet' () and 'It's possible she left the baby in the bath.' ()
2Mother's Account of Drowning
Edith Estrada Sigala stated she put her 7-month-old son, Adriel, in the bathtub to create steam for his cough, then went to do laundry and 'fell asleep.' She claimed she only discovered him unresponsive when her mother knocked on the door.
Edith states, 'So, that's why I started the bath... I closed the door that we could get steamy for him... I put him in there. Since I was still doing laundry, I went to the room... I But I don't know how I just fell asleep.' ()
3Alcohol Consumption and Detective's Challenge
Edith initially admitted to only one shot of Pink Whitney vodka on the day of the incident and being 'tipsy' the night before. A detective, smelling alcohol on her and observing numerous empty containers in her home, directly challenged her truthfulness, stating 'that doesn't happen from one shot' and 'I know that we're not being truthful about how much we drink today.'
Edith states, 'I did have a shot.' () The detective later confronts her, 'I didn't smell brand new Southeast substation here. What I smelt was smelled like alcohol. Right... that doesn't happen from one shot.' () Edith admits, 'I do drink a lot. I do.' ()
4Admission of a Drinking Problem and Charges
Under persistent questioning about her alcohol consumption and the inconsistencies in her story, Edith admitted to having a drinking problem. Following the interrogation, she was arrested and charged with child abuse resulting in death.
Detective asks, 'Do you think you have a drinking problem at this point?' Edith replies, 'Yeah.' () The host confirms, 'After the interrogation, Edith was arrested. She is charged with a count of child abuse resulting in death.' ()
Lessons
- Always ensure children, especially infants, are never left unattended near water, even for a moment, due to the high risk of drowning.
- Be truthful and consistent with law enforcement during investigations, as conflicting statements and evidence can significantly alter the course of a case.
- Recognize and address signs of substance abuse, particularly when responsible for the care of vulnerable individuals, to prevent tragic outcomes.
Quotes
"That doesn't happen from one shot. I'm just being honest with you."
"Do you think you have a drinking problem at this point? Yeah."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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