Oklahoma mum charged with murder after ‘drunken sleep' ends in newborn's death, charges follow
Oklahoma mum charged with murder after tragic death of newborn
According to an arrest affidavit, Spencer spent the night of November 1 drinking White Claws with her partner, James Kelson, at their home. The couple reportedly split a 12-pack before midnight. Kelson told police that after they drank, Spencer took their newborn twins—RK and LK—to bed with her while he turned in for the night.
Police arrested a woman who they claim struck a mother and her two children during a fireworks display, killing a 3-year-old boy, and drove away, all without a valid license.https://t.co/tAebtjlji0
Spencer later told investigators that Kelson had asked her to buy more alcohol, leading her to a nearby 7-Eleven. Surveillance footage confirmed she left the store at 1:27 a.m. with four "tall boy" cans of White Claw.
But instead of returning to the bedroom, Spencer passed out on the living room couch with one of the twins in her arms.
Infant found dead at her feet
Kelson awoke at 6:45 a.m. to find Spencer and the babies missing. He found her on the living room couch, holding their daughter while their son lay lifeless at her feet. Paramedics arrived quickly but declared RK dead at the scene.
The medical examiner later determined that the child died from 'asphyxia due to an unsafe sleep environment.' A child abuse specialist reported that Spencer's high level of intoxication likely contributed to the death and that if RK had been placed in a bassinet, he would likely still be alive.
'Probably really drunk,' she told police
During a police interview, Spencer admitted she had been 'probably really drunk' and said she had passed out shortly after returning home. Officers discovered 15 empty alcohol cans in the home, including the four she had purchased hours before RK's death.
Despite the gravity of the charges, Spencer's partner Kelson continues to support her and recently took to Facebook to request legal assistance, calling the situation a tragic accident.
Spencer remains behind bars on a $500,000 bond and is due in court for a preliminary hearing on August 5.
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