Mother accused of drug use as her infant drowns in bathtub

Burlington, VT – Law enforcement is actively searching for Briana Arnold, a mother facing charges linked to the drowning of her three-month-old daughter. Officials claim Arnold was under the influence of narcotics during the incident.

Warrants for her arrest include involuntary manslaughter, cruelty to a child, and possession of narcotics. The Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations is leading the manhunt for Arnold.

The drowning occurred around 1 p.m. on a recent Thursday at an apartment on Main Street, as reported by Burlington Police. Responding officers found Arnold attempting CPR on her child, who was transported to a nearby hospital but later died.

Following the incident, CUSI executed a search warrant at the residence, which revealed fentanyl in an open container on the stove. Toxicology tests conducted on Arnold’s blood discovered benzoylecgonine, fentanyl, norfentanyl, and methadone.

The infant, identified as Sapphira Tanita Perez Sanchez, was determined to have died from drowning, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Police assert Arnold left her daughter unattended in a bathtub while it filled with water.

Arrest warrants were signed on October 27. Arnold has acknowledged the warrants and has been in contact with law enforcement but has not surrendered or met with officers.

Law enforcement encourages the community to assist in locating Arnold by contacting CUSI or the local police department.

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