Kentucky Mother Sentenced to Nine Years After Infant Son Drowned in Motel 6 Bathtub During Drug-Fueled New Year’s Night
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY — A Kentucky woman has been sentenced to nearly a decade in prison after authorities say she fell asleep in a bathtub with her 3-month-old son while under the influence of drugs, causing the infant to drown inside a Motel 6 on New Year’s Day.
Mother Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter
Amber Winstead, 36, was sentenced Thursday to nine years in prison after pleading guilty in November to manslaughter in the death of her infant son, Ki’Arri Rayne Winstead.
Prosecutors confirmed that Winstead will serve seven years for manslaughter, along with two additional years for a parole violation stemming from a 2021 narcotics possession case. She must serve 85 percent of the manslaughter sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Infant Found Unresponsive in Motel Bathtub
The fatal incident occurred during the early morning hours of January 1 at a Motel 6 on Airport Hotel Boulevard in Louisville.
Police were dispatched to the motel around 4:30 a.m. after receiving reports of an unresponsive infant. Investigators later learned that Winstead had entered the bathtub with her baby after a night of drug use and fell asleep.
Several hours later, someone woke her.
By that time, Ki’Arri was submerged underwater and not breathing. First responders pronounced the baby dead at the scene.
Judge Calls Case “Tragic All Around”
As part of Winstead’s plea deal, prosecutors agreed to drop a persistent felony offender charge, according to local reports.
Winstead was arrested in a funeral home parking lot, moments before her son’s burial. Her attorney asked the court to allow her temporary house arrest so she could visit her child’s grave.
“She would like to visit her child’s grave,” defense attorney Bryce Dean said.
“She would like to have just a little bit of closure before she goes to DOC.”
Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Trish Morris said she had “obvious empathy” for the defendant and would consider the request.
“The situation is tragic all around,” the judge said during sentencing.
It remains unclear whether Winstead was allowed to visit the grave before beginning her sentence.
Obituary Described Infant as ‘Miracle Baby’
Ki’Arri’s obituary described him as a “miracle baby” born on September 24, 2024, remembered for his calm nature and joyful presence.
“Ki’Arri was a little angel, a miracle baby whose bubbly personality and infectious joy lit up every room he entered,” the obituary read.
“He never cried, and his gentle, happy demeanor made him a perfect little guy who was loved deeply by his family.”
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