Grandma Accused of Making 4-Year-Old Drink Whiskey as Punishment. Now She’s on Trial for Murder

A Louisiana grandmother stands trial, accused of murdering her four-year-old granddaughter in a tragic case that has drawn significant media attention. Roxanne Record, 57, is facing charges of first-degree murder and cruelty to a juvenile following the death of the child, identified as China, in April 2022.

According to prosecutors, Record allegedly inflicted severe punishment on China by forcing her to ingest a harmful quantity of Canadian whiskey. The alleged incident took place after the child reportedly took a sip from the bottle. Prosecutors claim that Record made China kneel on the ground while compelling her to drink half a pint of the alcoholic beverage, a sequence of events that was witnessed by the child’s mother, who failed to intervene.

Authorities were alerted to the situation at a home on Wallis Street in Baton Rouge when emergency services received a call about an unresponsive child. When they arrived, they found China in a dire state. An autopsy conducted by the East Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office later determined that the cause of death was acute alcohol poisoning, further complicating the already harrowing circumstances surrounding the case.

During opening statements in the trial, which commenced on April 29 at the 19th Judicial District Courthouse, Assistant District Attorney Dana Cummings contended that Record harboured a negative bias against her granddaughter. Cummings claimed that China was treated differently compared to other children and that the household often vilified her for expressing basic needs such as hunger and thirst. Cummings referenced interviews with other children present in the home, highlighting their claims that China was perceived as a “thief” for wanting food and water.

In a contrasting argument, Roxanne Record’s lawyer, Caitlin Fowlkes, posited that the child’s death was an accident rather than a criminal act. Fowlkes expressed the view that the tragic loss of the young girl should not be equated with murder, asserting that accidents differ from intentions and that grief does not imply guilt. She also noted that Record had attempted to revive China by administering CPR, underscoring her position that the grandmother had no malicious intent.

The case has also implicated China’s mother, Kadjah Record, who faces similar charges of first-degree murder and juvenile cruelty. She is scheduled to appear in court for an upcoming hearing on June 29. This further complicates the familial dynamics and raises additional questions about the environment in which China lived.

The proceedings have sparked a wave of public interest, particularly due to the tragic nature of the events surrounding the child’s death. Many are left grappling with the idea of how such an event could occur within a family setting, prompting discussions on child welfare and the responsibilities of adults to protect the vulnerable.

As the trial unfolds, the community remains attentive to the outcomes and the implications of the case. It has reignited conversations about parental responsibilities and the measures that can be taken to safeguard children from harm.

The case raises unsettling questions about the systems in place to protect children and how they can sometimes fail in safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society. As testimony continues in court, many hope for justice for the young life lost and seek to understand the factors that led to this heartbreaking event.

For those concerned about child safety or suspecting child abuse, they are encouraged to reach out for help. Resources such as the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline are available, offering confidential support and guidance for those in need.