Baby was left to die in toilet after woman gave birth in bathroom, LA cops say

A six-month investigation into how a baby died face-down in a toilet has ended in four arrests, including a 74-year-old woman, according to deputies in north Louisiana.

The child’s death was due to drowning, the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a July 28 news release.

It happened in February, shortly after “a female had given birth in the bathroom” of a home in Farmerville, the sheriff’s office says.

“Paramedics arrived to find the newborn child unresponsive with its head submerged in the toilet. Life-saving measures were initiated on scene and the child was transported to the hospital. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the newborn died,” officials said.

“It was determined that the newborn had been left submerged for several minutes before help was called. CID Investigators also found that no one at the scene attempted to remove the child from the toilet or provide aid before paramedics arrived.”

The child’s drowning was ruled a homicide, officials said.

Investigators did not identify the child’s mother and have not released details of a motive.

Lindsey Nicole Washington, 21, of Marion, is charged with second-degree murder and has a bond of $750,000.

Lee Dell “Pop” Nation, Jr., 69, of Farmerville, is charged with second-degree murder with a bond of $750,000.

Evelyn Nation, 74, of Farmerville, is charged with negligent homicide, with a bond of $150,000.

Elaine Nation, 60, of Farmerville, is charged with negligent homicide, with bond set at $150,000.

Farmerville is about a 220-mile drive northwest from Baton Rouge.

This story was originally published July 29, 2025 at 6:28 AM with the headline "Baby was left to die in toilet after woman gave birth in bathroom, LA cops say."