An Indiana mother, Tricia Cavanaugh, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for the 2016 death of her 4-month-old child, a tragedy linked to unsafe co-sleeping practices. Cavanaugh, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury earlier this month, and Delaware County Circuit Court Judge Douglas Mawhorr handed down her sentence on Monday.
According to court documents, Cavanaugh ignored repeated warnings about the dangers of co-sleeping, ultimately leading to the fatal incident. During her sentencing, Cavanaugh reportedly referred to herself as a “supermom.” However, Judge Mawhorr dismissed that notion, stating, “I’m not so sure about that.” The judge’s comment underscored the gravity of the case, which Delaware County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Hoffman called “a prime example of a needless death of an infant due to unsafe sleep practices.”
Cavanaugh’s sentencing comes after she was charged for the tragic events of June 6, 2016, in Muncie, Indiana, about 50 miles from Indianapolis. On that morning, police responded to a 911 call regarding an unresponsive child. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Cavanaugh “kneeling on the floor” next to her unresponsive daughter. Court documents revealed that Cavanaugh had attempted CPR on her baby, but the child was later pronounced dead at Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital, reports Law and Crime.
The incident occurred after Cavanaugh reportedly fell asleep with her baby in the same bed following a breastfeeding session. According to police reports, she told officers she woke up to find the infant “face down” beside her. As investigators processed the scene, they also detected the odor of burnt marijuana in the home. Officer Amy Kesler, who was at the scene, noted that Cavanaugh appeared to be intoxicated, exhibiting unsteady balance, slurred speech, and other signs of impairment.
Further investigation revealed that Cavanaugh had taken several prescription medications the night of her child’s death. A drug test showed that her system contained Hydrocodone, Diazepam, Nordiazepam, and Oxycodone. Cavanaugh herself admitted to a family member at the scene, “I know what happened, I shouldn’t have taken my Norco,” a strong prescription painkiller. Police later executed a search warrant on Cavanaugh’s home, discovering multiple prescription drugs and empty pill bottles, some of which lacked a prescription label.
In a statement following the sentencing, Prosecutor Hoffman stressed the importance of safe sleep practices for infants. “Parents and caregivers must follow the ABCs of safe sleep. Infants and babies should always sleep Alone, on their Backs, and in a safe Crib,” Hoffman said. He warned that co-sleeping in an adult bed, as Cavanaugh had done, can lead to the smothering of an infant, which is considered a form of child neglect.
The prosecutor also expressed his pride in the work of his team, acknowledging Chief Deputy Prosecutor Zach Craig and Deputy Prosecutor Maricel Driscoll for their dedication to the case. While Cavanaugh will serve her prison sentence, she will also be subject to two additional years of supervised release. Authorities hope this case will serve as a reminder to parents and caregivers about the dangers of unsafe sleep practices, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and prevention efforts in the future.