Charges against a Searcy couple were upgraded to manslaughter after an autopsy found the 4-month-old boy in their care had a blood-alcohol level of 0.07 percent.
Police found the infant, Elbert Lee Barazza, dead June 25 at the apartment Dianna O'Bryan, 57, shared with her husband, Jeffrey L. High, 54.
High and O'Bryan were originally charged with a Class D felony, first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor with conduct creating risk of death or serious physical injury. On Aug. 5, Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Reed McCoy charged them as accomplices with manslaughter, a Class C felony.
The defendants are to be arraigned Sept. 6 in White County Circuit Court in Searcy, McCoy and Assistant Police Chief Steve Taylor said Friday.
A preliminary autopsy found the infant died from "compressional asphyxia," or weight placed on his chest, and ethanol administration. Ethanol is used in the production of alcoholic beverages.
Elbert's 0.07 percent blood-alcohol level compares with the 0.08 intoxication limit for drivers in Arkansas.
High told police that O'Bryan may have given the infant vodka in his milk -- an allegation she later admitted, according to affidavits filed in court.
O'Bryan also told police that she had taken an antidepressant and anti-anxiety medicine and then drank vodka June 24, the same day she said she gave the baby vodka.
When a police officer arrived at the apartment about 11 a.m. June 25, he noticed the infant was lying on a couch beneath O'Bryan, the affidavit said, indicating the baby appeared dead.
The couple had been caring for the baby since they picked him up days earlier from his mother in Odessa, Texas, authorities said. O'Bryan is the aunt of Elbert's mother.
According to the affidavit, "O'Bryan was acting extremely intoxicated as she was trying to get up from the couch."
The couple are free on bail.
They could not be reached for comment by phone. They have no listing in Searcy directory assistance, and it was not known if they have an attorney.
Neither O'Bryan nor High had sought medical help for the baby, the affidavit said.
State Desk on 08/13/2016