Mother charged by grand jury for the drowning of her toddler in 2022

Laccuina Lanashi Braithwaite, a 27-year-old woman from Huntsville, Alabama, was indicted by a Madison County Grand Jury in March of 2022 for the intentional drowning of her 2-year-old daughter. The indictment charged her with capital murder, alleging that she submerged her toddler in a bathtub filled with cold water and olive oil. The incident took place on July 27, 2022, when police responded to a welfare check at Braithwaite’s apartment on Sugar Mill Circle in Huntsville.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers found the 2-year-old child unresponsive in the bathtub and began administering CPR in an attempt to save her life. Despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead upon arrival at Huntsville Hospital. Braithwaite initially attempted to flee from the police but was apprehended on the grounds of a Huntsville City Schools property nearby. The Huntsville Police Department’s investigation into the incident led to Braithwaite’s arrest and subsequent indictment for the murder of her daughter.

In a motion filed on October 26, 2022, the state announced its intention to seek the death penalty against Braithwaite. The specific reasons for this decision were not provided in the motion. As of now, no future court dates have been scheduled in connection with Braithwaite’s case. The tragic death of the 2-year-old girl has raised questions about Braithwaite’s mental state and motives for committing such a heinous act.

The details of the case, including Braithwaite’s alleged actions leading up to the drowning of her daughter, have shocked the community and left many wondering about the circumstances that could have driven her to commit such a horrific crime. The capital murder charge against Braithwaite highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the potential consequences she may face if convicted. The pursuit of the death penalty in this case underscores the gravity of the situation and the desire for justice for the victim and her family.

As the legal proceedings continue, the community remains in mourning for the young victim and in disbelief over the tragedy that unfolded on that fateful day in July. The untimely death of the 2-year-old girl has left a lasting impact on all involved, and the outcome of Braithwaite’s case will be closely watched as justice is sought for the innocent child who lost her life in such a senseless and tragic manner.