Ga. Mom Accused of Murder in Drowning Death of Daughter, 1, But Suspect's Father Stands by Her

A Georgia mother is accused of murdering her 1-year-old daughter, who drowned in a bathtub.

Ronica Jones was arrested and charged with one count of murder, according to DeKalb County, Ga., jail records. 

WSB-TV and Fox 5 Atlanta, citing investigators, both reported that Jones’ daughter, who was not named in the reports, drowned in a bathtub.

The baby died on Monday, Nov. 11 after drowning in the bathtub on Nov. 7. Citing authorities, Fox 5 reports that Jones is accused of leaving the baby unsupervised in the tub.

“The case involving Ronica Jones is still in the early stages,” the Dekalb County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement to WSB. The statement added the office “will review the facts and conduct a follow-up investigation before making a final charging decision and presenting the case to the grand jury.”

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It is not immediately clear if Jones, who was released on bond, has retained an attorney. But her family is supporting her despite her arrest.

Jones’ father, Ronald Jones, reportedly said the drowning was an accident. Ronald told WSB that his daughter explained that while she was bathing her daughter, the 1-year-old slipped and fell into the tub while Ronica had turned to get a towel.

“They know that she didn’t do anything to the baby,” Ronald told WSB. “She loved that baby.”