Wisconsin Mother Arrested After 13-Month-Old Son Drowns in Bathtub While Mother was in the Kitchen Making Pancakes and Sausage

13-month-old Asher Doxzon died in a bathtub when left unattended

A 28-year-old mother in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been arrested and charged in connection with the drowning death of her 13-month-old son, who was left unsupervised in a bathtub. Selena Doxzon faces one count of child neglect resulting in death, following a tragic incident that unfolded on May 15, 2025.

According to a criminal complaint, a neighbor reported hearing Doxzon screaming from her lower-level duplex unit in the 5000 block of 53rd Street. When the neighbor entered the apartment, she found Doxzon holding her infant son, whose body appeared lifeless and skin blue in color. Doxzon was on the phone with 911 but was reportedly too distraught to provide clear communication.

Paramedics arrived shortly afterward and took over CPR from the mother before transporting the child to Children’s Wisconsin. Despite efforts to revive him, the toddler was pronounced dead at 9:45 a.m. An autopsy later confirmed the cause of death as asphyxiation due to drowning.

Milwaukee mother charged after 13-month-old dies in bathtub

Doxzon told authorities that her two sons, ages 1 and 3, had woken up between 5:30 and 6 a.m. that morning. After feeding them, she ran a bath and placed both boys in the tub with the water level just above the infant’s belly while seated. After washing them, she allowed the children to play in the water while she left the bathroom to prepare pancakes and sausage in the kitchen.

She said the food took two to three minutes to cook, but she remained in the kitchen an additional four minutes to wash dishes. Her 3-year-old son eventually walked into the kitchen, wet and unsupervised, prompting Doxzon to return to the bathroom.

Upon entering, she found her younger son's body floating face-up in the tub. The child was unresponsive and had water near his face. She pulled him from the water, attempted CPR, and screamed for help. During resuscitation efforts, water reportedly came out of the child's mouth.

Doxzon told investigators she usually bathed her children separately and had only recently started bathing the toddler in the bathtub instead of the sink. The child was unable to walk but could stand and "cruise" with the support of nearby objects. She also admitted during a post-Miranda interview that she should have used less water in the tub and acknowledged that the bathroom was not visible from the kitchen where she was cooking.

The case is under continued investigation as Doxzon awaits further court proceedings.