A Tragic Case of Manslaughter in Louisiana
A grandmother from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been found guilty of manslaughter after she forced her 4-year-old granddaughter to consume half a bottle of whiskey, which ultimately resulted in the child’s death. The incident occurred on April 21, 2022, and has sparked widespread shock and outrage.
Local police were called to the family home after receiving a report about an unresponsive child. Firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel arrived at the scene and attempted to revive the young girl, who was later identified as China Record. Despite their efforts, they were unable to save her life, according to reports from WAFB.
During the investigation, detectives discovered that Roxanne Record, the child’s grandmother, had suspected that China had taken a sip of whiskey from a bottle in the house. As a form of punishment, Record allegedly forced the child to drink approximately half a bottle of whiskey. The girl’s mother, Kadjah Record, is said to have witnessed this act.
According to the arrest warrant for Roxanne Record, the toddler’s blood-alcohol content was .680. The Cleveland Clinic notes that a blood-alcohol level of 0.3 to 0.4 can lead to alcohol poisoning, while levels above 0.4 are potentially fatal. The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office determined that China died from acute alcohol poisoning.
Roxanne Record reportedly admitted to police that she had “messed up” and expressed a desire to take full responsibility for the girl’s death. She also stated that she had “ruined everyone’s lives.” Investigators noted that Kadjah Record provided several inconsistent statements to law enforcement during the investigation. As a result, Kadjah was arrested at the scene.
Kadjah Record is scheduled to return to court next month, where she will face first-degree murder charges. Meanwhile, Roxanne Record is set to be sentenced on August 10 and could receive up to 40 years in prison.
This tragic case highlights the devastating consequences of adult negligence and the importance of protecting vulnerable children from harm. It also raises serious questions about the role of caregivers in ensuring the safety and well-being of those in their care.
Key Details of the Case
- The incident occurred on April 21, 2022, when a 4-year-old girl, China Record, was forced to drink half a bottle of whiskey by her grandmother.
- Emergency responders were called to the home after the child became unresponsive.
- Firefighters and EMS workers tried to revive the child but were unsuccessful.
- The child’s blood-alcohol content was .680, which is significantly above the threshold for alcohol poisoning.
- The coroner’s office confirmed that the cause of death was acute alcohol poisoning.
- Roxanne Record admitted to forcing the child to drink the whiskey and took responsibility for the tragedy.
- Kadjah Record, the child’s mother, was arrested at the scene and faces first-degree murder charges.
- Roxanne Record will be sentenced on August 10 and could receive up to 40 years in prison.
This heartbreaking case serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for awareness and education around child safety. It underscores the importance of creating environments where children are protected from harmful actions, no matter how misguided or well-intentioned they may seem. The legal consequences faced by the individuals involved reflect the severity of the crime and the deep impact it has had on the community.
