A Florida woman is facing charges of aggravated manslaughter in the drowning of her 9-year-old son.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said 28-year-old Tabatha Long was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana when she walked into the deep waters of a Tampa-area creek with Bentley Long on her back. Officials say Tabatha Long knew the boy couldn't swim.
Long told WFLA that she should not have been charged.
“I think it’s insane because it was an accident. It was a freak accident. So no, I didn’t think I needed to be charged for it,” Long said.
Chronister said Tabatha Long lied to deputies saying the boy wasn't a strong swimmer and went in without her permission. The sheriff said the mother was impaired and didn't realize that her son had fallen off until her brother rushed to help him. Rescuers found him 30 minutes later.
Long was arrested Thursday and released after posting a $15,000 bail. Records did not list an attorney.
