Drunk Tennessee mother bench presses infant daughter, blows cigarette smoke into her face before dropping her
CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE: A 24-year-old woman was arrested after a Facebook Live video showing her bench pressing her one-month-old daughter with one hand while blowing smoke in her face went viral recently.
After several people reported the video to police, Tybresha Sexton was charged with aggravated child abuse after being arrested at her home on Sunday. According to her arrest affidavit obtained by WTVC, Sexton allegedly told responding officers, "[I] didn’t want that fu**in’ baby anyway."
In the video, the accused was seen holding the infant above her head with one hand while lighting up with her free hand. It was not immediately clear what she was smoking. Holding her baby up with one hand casually, she gave her a twirl and a shake. At one point during the video, she even blew smoke into the baby's face and reportedly dropped her. The mother continued her dangerous behavior despite viewers telling her that she should cut it out. "She gone (sic) kill that baby,” one person wrote.
Although investigating officers noticed several empty liquor bottles at her apartment and her breath smelled of alcohol, she initially denied being drunk. the police also noted that Sexton was making "irrational statements" at the time of her arrest.
She was finally taken into custody by the authorities when her neighbors came over to her apartment and showed them the video.
Sexton was booked by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office on a $100,000 bond. The additional charges of slapped resisting arrest and disorderly conduct were also filed against her. She’s due in court on October 4.
An unnamed friend of hers told the police that Sexton couldn't find anyone to care for the baby before celebrating her 24th birthday, so she chose to party at home. The infant is currently under the care of Sexton's mother.
Another neighbor said that she did not believe that Sexton wanted to hurt her baby but her behavior was inappropriate. "I'm glad the baby's safe, but when it comes down to it she just needs some help," she said.