DETROIT – The parents of an 11-month-old boy who died after his father brought him to a hospital with no vital signs were arraigned Saturday.
Lorenzo Brooks, 30, and Leticia Molton, 38, were arrested Friday and charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse.
The judge ordered a cash bond of $50,000 for both parents.
The father said he had fallen asleep on top of the boy, causing his death. The parents contend they did not intentionally harm their child, but prosecutors consider the boy's death preventable.
The investigation revealed Brooks discovered his child wasn't breathing then dropped him off at the hospital and left.
Brooks nearly fainted once the judge read the charges of homicide manslaughter and child abuse. Molton told the court she and her child haven't had a permanent address since the boy was born.
It was two years ago when the couple's other child died in the same manner. Police said their then-6-month-old daughter died in her sleep. With their second child dying in a similar way, prosecutors called it nothing more than neglect.