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Florida man smoked weed while child drowned in pool, Bay County Sheriff's officials say

Posted at 10:52 AM, Jun 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-21 10:52:36-04

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man is facing manslaughter charges after authorities say a child he was watching drowned in a backyard pool while he smoked marijuana with a teenager in the front yard.

Bay County Sheriff's officials say 45-year-old Charles Lee was arrested Wednesday.

The News Herald reports the 1-year-old drowned May 31 at a Panama City Beach home. Deputies gave the boy CPR after a family member found him unresponsive in the pool. The baby died several days later.

Investigators said the boy was left in Lee's care. He initially told investigators he was in the home when the boy drowned, but later admitted to smoking with the teenager in the front yard. Lee fled while the boy was in the hospital.

An attorney for Lee wasn't listed on jail records.