A 7-month-old who died in the care of a babysitter in February tested positive for almost twice the concentration of Benadryl in her blood than what’s consistent with fatal overdoses in infants, documents filed in court show.
Dixie Denise Villa appeared before a judge Monday morning in connection with the case.
Villa, who has been charged with manslaughter, turned herself into police over the weekend. Her bail as been set at $1 million.
Police say 7-month-old Abigail Lobisch died at Villa’s home on the Aliamanu Military Reservation. Villa called 911 after finding baby Abigail unresponsive on the morning of Feb. 24.
In interviews with police, Villa said the baby had been fine all day.
She told officers the only thing she had administered to Abigail was lotion because she was slightly sunburnt after spending the day at the pool, court documents show.
But an autopsy concluded that baby Abigail had died of diphenhydramine toxicity.
Police didn’t say if that’s what Villa is accused of doing. But court documents do show that Villa told officers on Feb. 24 that baby Abigail slept through the night ― not waking up once.
The baby’s mother told police that Abigail typically woke up frequently during the night.
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Infant who died in care had high concentration of Benadryl in her blood
The infant's babysitter has been charged with manslaughter.