A Michigan couple was arrested on Tuesday for last year’s smothering death of their 6-month-old daughter.
MLive reported that Faith Roldan died after she became trapped under Jose Roldan Jr., 40, and between some couch cushions. Video evidence allegedly showed Faith’s mother, Ladesha Powe, 29, falling asleep on the couch and dropping the infant, who landed behind her father — who reportedly weighs 300 pounds.
Faith Roldan died at a Kalamazoo County hospital about an hour after officers responded to her home.
Prosecutors claimed Jose Roldan and Powe heavily drank alcohol before their daughter’s death. He stated that he fell asleep in the living room with his daughter but woke up to find her not breathing and wedged between couch cushions, MLive.com said.
Jose Roldan allegedly also admitted to drinking nine or 10 tall cans of beer and smoking weed the night before his daughter’s death. Powe claimed she drank five Twisted Teas and some beer because she was upset with her boyfriend for watching porn, according to MLive.
Faith Roldan’s death was ruled a homicide by mechanical asphyxia. WXMI reported that video footage showed a sleeping Jose Roldan changing his position on the couch. His daughter is then filmed kicking and crying before becoming motionless.
According to WWMT, the footage also showed Powe waking up and looking for her daughter before going to the bedroom and sleeping for the night.
Jose Roldan and Powe are charged with homicide and child abuse. Their bonds were set at $100,000.
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[Feature Photo: Kalamazoo County Jail]
