Milwaukee Mother Faces Charges After 13-Month-Old Son Drowns in Unsupervised Bathtub
In a quiet Milwaukee neighborhood, a devastating tragedy unfolded on May 15, 2025, leaving a community in mourning and a mother facing serious criminal charges. Selena Renee Doxzon, a 28-year-old Milwaukee resident, stood in a courtroom, her eyes red from tears, as she was charged with neglecting a child resulting in death after her 13-month-old son, Asher Doxzon, drowned in a bathtub at their home near 53rd and Custer. The incident, described by court officials as both heartbreaking and preventable, has cast a spotlight on the dangers of leaving young children unattended, even for a fleeting moment.
According to the criminal complaint, Doxzon left Asher and his 3-year-old brother alone in a bathtub filled with water above the younger child’s belly when seated. She stepped away to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and wash dishes, believing the brief absence would be harmless. Approximately four minutes later, her 3-year-old son appeared in the kitchen, soaking wet, prompting Doxzon to rush back to the bathroom. There, she found Asher floating face-up, unresponsive, with blue lips—a sight no parent should ever endure. A neighbor, quick to respond, attempted CPR until emergency responders arrived, but their efforts were in vain. Asher was pronounced dead at Children’s Wisconsin hospital at 9:45 a.m. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s preliminary report listed asphyxiation due to drowning as the cause of death, with final toxicology results still pending.
Doxzon admitted to investigators that the water level was too high for her 13-month-old’s small frame and acknowledged she could not see the bathroom from the kitchen, making it impossible to supervise the children adequately. She also revealed she typically bathed her sons separately and had only recently begun bathing Asher in the tub rather than the sink, a decision that tragically contributed to the outcome. The charge against her, a Class D felony, carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine, reflecting the gravity of the loss and the legal consequences of her actions.
During her initial court appearance on May 20, 2025, Court Commissioner Barry Phillips addressed Doxzon with a tone that balanced compassion with accountability. He described the case as “sad, scary, and senseless,” noting that while the incident appeared accidental, it was a preventable tragedy that resulted in the death of a child. Recognizing the emotional weight Doxzon would carry for life, Phillips released her without bail but imposed strict conditions, prohibiting her from having unsupervised contact with children as she awaits her preliminary hearing scheduled for May 30. The courtroom, filled with the quiet tension of grief, underscored the profound impact of Asher’s death on all involved.
This tragedy highlights a broader issue: the alarming frequency of drowning incidents among young children. Data from child safety organizations indicate that drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children under five, with bathtubs posing a significant risk. Infants and toddlers can drown in just a few inches of water in mere moments, a fact that underscores the critical need for constant supervision during bath time. In the United States, approximately one in four of the 3,500 annual drowning deaths involves children, with nearly half of those being infants or toddlers, often in bathtubs or other household water sources.
The Milwaukee community has been left grappling with the loss of young Asher, a child whose life was cut tragically short. As the legal process unfolds, questions linger about how such incidents can be prevented and what support systems might help parents navigate the challenges of childcare. For now, Doxzon faces not only the weight of the law but also the enduring pain of a mother’s unimaginable loss, a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of vigilance in protecting the most vulnerable.
