NAPLES, Fla. — A 31-year-old woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following her admission of responsibility for her infant daughter’s tragic death. Nicole Laber pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a child after leaving her 8-month-old daughter unattended in a bathtub, a decision that led to devastating consequences.
Judge John McGowan delivered the sentence in a Circuit Court hearing, expressing the gravity of the situation while also considering Laber’s time served—669 days in custody—before imposing a consecutive 10-year probation period upon her release. The case, which shocked the local community, unfolded in June when emergency responders were called to Laber’s home on Everglades Boulevard.
On that fateful day, Laber informed dispatch that her child had drowned in a water bowl intended for the family dog. However, when medics arrived, they found the infant unresponsive and despite lifesaving efforts, she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. Medical staff later noted that the child expelled water during resuscitation attempts, indicating drowning.
As law enforcement began their investigation, inconsistencies emerged in Laber’s account of events. She initially claimed she had briefly left her daughter to retrieve her dog and another child who escaped from the house. Upon returning, she reported finding the infant face down in the water bowl. However, further examination raised eyebrows, as medical personnel noted a clean diaper on the infant, which contradicted her narrative.
Detectives searched the home and discovered a wet bathtub with residue near the drain, alongside a booster seat designed for bathing an infant. These findings sparked further skepticism regarding Laber’s original story. In a twist, her husband confronted her, voicing disbelief over her explanation, which led to a reconsideration of the events.
Just days after the incident, Laber contacted the authorities again, offering a revised version of her account. She confessed to having placed her daughter in the booster seat in the bathtub and left the room for approximately 10 minutes to have “alone time.” When she returned, she found her child still secured in the seat, submerged face down in the water.
In this new recount, Laber described the frantic moments that followed. After removing the infant from the tub and changing her diaper, she placed her on the couch before making the 911 call. In a moment of panic, she had falsely attributed the drowning to the dog’s water bowl, attempting to divert attention from the tragic oversight.
With the sentencing now complete, several community members have expressed their sorrow for the loss of the innocent life and concerns regarding child safety. The circumstances surrounding the case serve as a somber reminder of the importance of supervision for young children. Laber’s case now closes a chapter filled with unimaginable grief for a family and community left grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy.