1st-degree murder is charged
A Boyd Station Road mother was charged with first-degree murder following the apparent drowning death of her 11-month-old son last week, two days after he was found unresponsive in a bathtub.
Lindsee Louise Leonardo, 32, 12916 Boyd Station Road, was already jailed on charges of felony aggravated child abuse/neglect/endangerment when charges were upgraded to murder Friday, Jan. 10, one day after the infant died, according to Knox County Sheriff’s Office reports.
According to an arrest warrant, Leonardo told police she put her children, 11-month-old Aiden Xavier Leonardo, and a 23-month-old unnamed child, in the bathtub with 4-to-6 inches of water before going outside to smoke a cigarette at around 8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The warrant further stated Leonardo told authorities she was outside for about 10 minutes. When she returned, the 23-month-old had turned the water on, filling the tub to the top. She said the 11-month old was floating on his back while the 23-month-old stood in the tub.
The mother stated she took the victim to her bed and called 911, with dispatchers instructing her on how to perform CPR.
American Medical Response transported the victim to Tennova Turkey Creek Medical Center where personnel regained a heartbeat. The 11-month was later transferred to the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, where he died Thursday.
Leonardo remained jailed Monday, Jan. 13, in lieu of $350,000 bond. She faces a Tuesday, Jan. 21, court date on the charges.
