COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A father is now behind bars and facing murder charges after his 1-year-old child drowned in the bathtub of a Cobb County home, according to police.
Kenton Hamilton, 47, was charged with second-degree murder, second-degree cruelty to children, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of cocaine.
The incident happened on Thursday, Aug. 1, just before 9 p.m. when a 911 call came in for the unresponsive child at the home on Windsor Court. When emergency crews arrived, they tried lifesaving efforts and took the child to the hospital, where the child was pronounced dead.
The Kennesaw Police Department responded to the home and the hospital to gather more details about what happened.
Warrants stated that Hamilton told police that he and the toddler fell asleep on the couch. He then told police that at some point, the toddler woke up, got off the couch, walked up two flights of stairs, climbed into the bathtub and then turned on the water.
Hamilton also allegedly told authorities that he wasn't aware the child got off of him until he was woken up by a friend, according to warrants.
Warrants also stated that a 4-year-old child was also asleep on the couch at the time of the incident.
Hamilton is being held at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center without bond. 11Alive has reached out to the Cobb County Sheriff's Office for Hamilton's mugshot, but we have not yet heard back.
Kennesaw Police said they were still investigating the incident. The department is encouraging anyone who might have information about the case to contact the criminal investigation division at KPD_TIPS@kennesaw-ga.gov or 770-429-4533.