News Summary
A 22-year-old woman from Greenville, SC, has been charged with homicide following the drowning of her seven-month-old son in a bathtub. Randora Ashanti Burton was arrested after investigations revealed her negligence contributed to the tragic incident. Authorities reported that Burton left her child unattended in a bathtub filled with water and delayed seeking help when she found him unresponsive. She faces serious charges which could result in a lengthy prison sentence if convicted, highlighting the imperative of child safety and supervision.
Greenville, SC – A 22-year-old woman has been charged with homicide following the tragic drowning of her seven-month-old son in a bathtub. Randora Ashanti Burton was arrested on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, after authorities concluded that her negligent actions contributed to the incident.
The incident occurred on June 26, 2024, at Burton’s residence in Greenville, South Carolina. According to investigators, Burton allegedly left her infant son unattended in an upstairs bathtub filled with standing water while she was downstairs. Upon returning upstairs, she discovered her son unresponsive and delayed calling for emergency assistance.
Burton has been charged with homicide by child abuse, a serious offense that reflects the gravity of the situation and the alleged indifference to the child’s well-being. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) was called in to investigate the matter at the request of the Greenville Police Department.
Documents submitted during the investigation indicate that Burton’s negligence “caused the death of the victim” and suggested a profound “indifference to human life.” The implications of these findings underscore the severity of the charges she faces. If convicted, she could face a minimum of 20 years in prison, with the possibility of receiving a life sentence.
Currently, Burton is being held at the Greenville County Detention Center without bond as she awaits legal proceedings. The prosecution will be handled by the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, which has not yet disclosed how they plan to approach the case. SLED agents have emphasized the severe nature of the alleged neglect, which has drawn public attention to the risks associated with leaving small children unattended in potentially dangerous situations.
The family of the victim has expressed devastation over the circumstances surrounding the drowning, highlighting the emotional toll this incident has taken. The tragic loss of a young life under such conditions has sparked discussions among community members, urging parents and caregivers to be vigilant about child safety, especially in environments that can pose accidental risks.
This incident is especially poignant, as child drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death among infants and toddlers in the United States. It serves as a reminder for all parents and guardians of the critical need to supervise young children closely at all times to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
As the case proceeds through the legal system, updates will continue to emerge that detail Burton’s charges, any potential defenses she may raise, and the broader implications for child safety measures in households across the region.
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4 News
- Wikipedia: Child drowning
- WLTX News
- Google Search: Child safety measures
- Fox Carolina News
- Google Scholar: Drowning prevention in children
- Greenville Online
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Drowning statistics
- Post and Courier
- Google News: Drowning in children news
