A Louisiana jury has convicted a 57-year-old grandmother in Baton Rouge of manslaughter following the death of her 4-year-old granddaughter from acute alcohol poisoning. The verdict, delivered after trial proceedings, stems from an incident on April 21, 2022, when emergency responders were called to a home shortly before 11 a.m. regarding an unresponsive child. The girl, identified as China Record, was transported for medical treatment but was pronounced dead later that day.
"That little girl is gone, and it’s a tragedy that nobody, no family, nobody should ever have to endure. But tragedy is not the same as murder. Accidents are not the same as intent. And grief is not the same as guilt." — Caitlin Fowlkes, Defense Attorney
Investigators alleged that the child’s grandmother, Roxanne Record, forced China to drink Canadian Mist, an 80-proof whiskey, as a punishment. Prosecutors presented evidence suggesting this occurred after the child allegedly took a sip from a bottle of whiskey found in the home. During questioning, Roxanne Record reportedly admitted that she "messed up" and "ruined everyone’s lives," according to police accounts. An autopsy subsequently revealed the child had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.68, a level more than eight times the legal limit for adults, confirming the severity of the poisoning.
Assistant District Attorney Dana Cummings outlined what prosecutors described as a broader pattern of mistreatment within the household. During opening statements, Cummings argued that China Record was treated differently from other grandchildren. "China never had that because her grandmother never, ever took to her, never liked her, treated her differently than she treated the other children," Cummings stated. Prosecutors also informed jurors about disturbing household beliefs where basic needs like food and water were reportedly labeled as "stealing" by some children. Cummings highlighted this by saying, "What did she steal? Food, water. Stole water at her own home."
The prosecution contended that the specific punishment on the night of the incident involved the grandmother forcing the child to drink the remaining alcohol while kneeling in a hallway, after which the child became unresponsive. Despite the severe outcome, prosecutors also acknowledged that the grandmother attempted CPR and later expressed remorse, with statements indicating she "went too far" and accepted responsibility for the child’s death.
Defense attorneys, however, maintained that the state failed to prove the intent necessary for a murder conviction, characterizing the incident as a tragic accident rather than a deliberate act of malice. Defense attorney Caitlin Fowlkes argued, "That little girl is gone, and it’s a tragedy that nobody, no family, nobody should ever have to endure. But tragedy is not the same as murder. Accidents are not the same as intent. And grief is not the same as guilt."
Authorities also confirmed that the child’s mother, Kadjha Record, was present during the incident and is accused of failing to intervene. She faces separate charges in connection with the case, which are being handled independently.
The case has brought to light allegations of long-standing concerns about abuse within the home. Family members reportedly told investigators that worries about the household environment had existed for years but were not reported to authorities prior to China Record's death. One relative reportedly expressed a sense of collective failure, stating, "We all failed."
Roxanne Record now faces a lengthy prison sentence following her conviction, with sentencing proceedings scheduled for later this year. The tragic death of China Record and the subsequent trial have become a significant point of discussion regarding child welfare failures and the critical importance of recognizing and reporting warning signs of abuse within family settings.
