Newborn submerged in water 1-2 hours, say court docs; mom charged with murder

A Rochester woman has been accused of drowning her 10-day-old son in a bathtub.

Markiya Mitchell, 25, was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of her son Jeremiah Mitchell, said Rochester Police Chief Michael Ciminelli.

Mitchell pleaded not guilty in City Court Tuesday morning and was remanded to the Monroe County Jail without bail.

Court documents allege that she placed her 10-day-old son in 8 to 10 inches of water in a bathtub inside her apartment at 31 Locust St. Jeremiah was submerged in bath water for one to two hours, according to court documents.

Another adult in the home found the baby unresponsive in the bathtub and called 911, according to the department's major crimes unit. Officers went to Mitchell's Locust Street home about 2:30 p.m. Monday.

Jeremiah was taken to Rochester General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Capt. Mark Wiater said in a news release.

Mitchell was taken into custody at the scene and interviewed by investigators at the Public Safety Building. Police did not identify the adult who found Jeremiah in the tub but said "that person has been fully cooperative with the investigation," according to major crimes.

Ciminelli said in a news release that Mitchell "admitted to intentionally drowning the baby in the bathtub with the purpose of ending his life."

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Mitchell has a 7-year-old child who is currently in the care of another family member. The child was not home at the time of the incident, officers said.

Assistant District Attorney Amanda Balling said she could not discuss the details of the case since the investigation remained active. She said the case would be presented to a Monroe County grand jury.

Mitchell has a criminal record, according to police, who would not outline her criminal history. Authorities said they could not discuss Mitchell's mental state.

Monroe County spokesman Jesse Sleezer said he could not confirm or deny whether a Child Protective Services case was linked to Mitchell and her children.

Additional charges are pending.

Mitchell is scheduled to return to City Court Friday morning for a preliminary hearing

VFREILE@Gannett.com