Mother Allegedly Gave Infant Fireball to Make Her ‘Pass Out,’ Later Found Baby Dead in Her Crib

A Wisconsin couple, Kevin McCall and Christina Davis, have been arrested following the tragic death of a one-year-old child found in distressing conditions. Both individuals have been charged with two counts of chronic neglect of a child after the infant was discovered deceased in her crib, reportedly “covered in urine and feces.”

The grim discovery was made on February 22 when emergency services responded to a report of a “pulseless nonbreathing child” at the couple’s residence. Upon arrival, police officers and firefighters found McCall, 20, and Davis, 23, outside the house, with the unresponsive child. Although the child was quickly transported to the hospital, medical staff pronounced her dead shortly after arrival.

Details surrounding the incident have emerged through the police investigation. Notably, Davis’s six-year-old daughter from a prior relationship informed officers that she frequently babysat the younger child while the adults were away. She described situations where she was left responsible for the infant, including occasions when both McCall and Davis were not present at home.

According to the criminal complaint, Davis and McCall awoke late and decided to leave their home to purchase food, ensuring that the children were asleep before departing. During their absence, Davis went to work while McCall allegedly remained home. Upon returning later that day, Davis found her daughter standing in a corner as punishment for reportedly taking a remote control. After noticing that McCall was preoccupied with fixing a video game controller, she went to check on the baby, discovering her in a concerning state; the infant was “stiff” and had her eyes rolled back, prompting Davis to instruct McCall to call for emergency assistance.

McCall reportedly admitted to having left the children alone at home “at least 25 times” over the past several months. On this particular occasion, he stated that he had not fed or changed the baby during Davis’s absence. Investigators noted that the condition of the home was alarming, with a strong odour and an overall dishevelled environment.

Further distressing claims have come to light from the six-year-old, who described occasions where the adults instructed her to babysit the infant. She also revealed the existence of a bottle of Fireball whiskey in the home, which she alleged her mother referred to as “medicine” used to make the baby “pass out.” The child’s assertion raises concerning questions about the child’s wellbeing under the adults’ care.

In contrast, Davis has denied the allegations regarding the alcohol, asserting that her daughter lied and claiming she merely administered cold and flu medication to the toddler. She defended her reliance on her six-year-old daughter to assist with childcare, stating that McCall was “not providing any assistance” in the home.

The medical examiner conducted a thorough examination of the child and found no apparent signs of trauma, illness, or infection that could explain the cause of death. With the arrest, both McCall and Davis are currently held at the Milwaukee County Jail, with a bond set at $10,000.

The defendants have not yet been tried in court, and legal representation for McCall has urged the public to reserve judgment until evidence is presented. Russell Jones, McCall’s attorney, emphasized the legal principle of presumption of innocence, highlighting that this presumption will remain until proven otherwise in a court of law. Efforts to obtain comment from Davis’ attorney are ongoing.

Child welfare advocates are urging anyone with suspicions of child neglect or abuse to report their concerns. Those seeking help can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, which operates confidentially around the clock, providing services in numerous languages.

As this case develops, it serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the critical importance of safeguarding vulnerable children, ensuring they are properly cared for in a secure environment.