Police Searching for Mom After She Let 3-Month-Old Daughter Drown in Bathtub

Police in Burlington, Vermont, are on the search for a mother who they believe was high on drugs when her 3-month-old daughter fatally drowned in a bathtub.

Briana Arnold, 34, has been accused of involuntary manslaughter, cruelty to a child with death resulting and possession of narcotics, according to warrants issued for her arrest.

Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations (CUSI), a multi-agency task force with a focus on crimes against children, is leading the manhunt for Arnold.

The Burlington Police Department said that the underlying incident took place around 1 p.m. on October 4, 2024, at an apartment on Main Street in Burlington, according to Law & Crime.

On the day of the incident, a 911 call was made to report a drowning child. Responding officers went to the apartment unit, where they found Arnold performing CPR on her 3-month-old daughter. Paramedics then took over to give the young girl CPR before she was rushed to a nearby hospital. The infant eventually died from her injuries while at the hospital.

The case was given to CUSI after the child’s death, while investigators executed a search warrant on the residence, according to the Vermont Daily Chronicle. During the search, investigators allegedly found an open container in the stove in the kitchen that was later determined to be holding fentanyl.

Investigators also obtained a sample of Arnold’s blood so that they could perform a toxicology test, which police said found benzoylecgonine, fentanyl, norfentanyl and methadone in her system.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner also performed an autopsy, which determined the infant died by drowning.

Amid the investigation into the baby’s death, police concluded that Arnold was under the influence of various narcotics when she left her daughter alone in a bathtub as it was being filled with water.

In light of the findings, a court signed off on the arrest warrants on October 27.

Arnold has since made contact with law enforcement and is aware of the warrants, according to CUSI. However, she has reportedly refused to meet with authorities or turn herself in.

Law enforcement is now asking for anyone who may have knowledge or insight regarding Arnold’s whereabouts to contact CUSI directly at 802-652-6895 or the local police department as the search for her continues.

The Burlington Police Department did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment.

According to the Essex Police Department website, the CUSI Unit offers “criminal investigation services in response to reports of sexual assault, other serious sexual offenses and serious child abuse and neglect. Such cases require special expertise in order to better protect victims and to enable successful prosecutions by the Office of the Chittenden County State’s Attorney.”

“Investigations will generally be limited to reports and referrals of such cases within the borders of Chittenden County. The operations of the Unit will promote cooperative efforts between municipalities, police agencies, prosecutorial, DCF and Victim’s Advocate groups,” the website stated. “The Unit will perform its mission lawfully and with intelligence, dedication, fairness, compassion, competence providing special sensitivity to the needs of victims.”