A Texas man has been found guilty of manslaughter after prosecutors said he gave his baby daughter Benadryl so he could spend “quality time” with his wife.
Adam Canales Jr. was convicted in Lubbock County on Thursday, Aug. 28, in connection with the July 2021 death of his 2-month-old daughter, Athena Brigida-Kay Canales, according to KCBD 11 and KLBK News.
He is now awaiting sentencing and could face up to 20 years in prison, KCBD 11 reported. The child’s mother, Sarah Canales, is also facing manslaughter charges related to Athena’s death and is waiting for her trial.
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District Attorney Sunshine Stanek told jurors that Adam gave the over-the-counter allergy medicine, which can cause drowsiness, to his infant daughter so he and his wife could have time alone, KLBK reported.
During the trial, Stanek called Adam’s behavior “selfish and reckless,” according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. “This defendant was so selfish and reckless in his actions that he caused the death of Athena,” she said. “They made a habit of giving their kids, including Athena, medicine to make them sleep. When they were tired and just wanted adult time to themselves — they dosed her.”
Adam’s lawyer, Kristopher Mincey, argued the death was an accident. He said the household was busy with six children, and Adam and Sarah failed to communicate. Each had given Athena Benadryl separately that day, KCBD and KLBK reported.
Deputies with the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about an unresponsive baby at the family’s home on July 11, 2021, around 4 p.m., according to an arrest warrant obtained by KLBK. Athena was found dead when they arrived.
At first, Adam denied giving his daughter the drug. But he later admitted it after an autopsy showed Athena died from “mixed drug toxicity,” according to the warrant obtained by KLBK.
