Prosecutor: Alton woman drunk when she rolled onto baby

An Alton woman faces felony charges for allegedly being intoxicated when she rolled onto her infant son in bed, resulting in his death.

Sharron M. Braxton, 29, was charged Thursday with felony endangerment in the death of Marcus Covington Jr., who died on Feb. 15 at the age of 4 months. Alton Police were called to her home in the 700 block of Oakwood that morning to find the baby boy unresponsive. He was taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital and pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Prosecutors believe Braxton fell asleep in the same bed as her baby while intoxicated. At some point during the night, she rolled over him, causing his death by suffocation.

“This is is an extremely heartbreaking loss of life that was entirely preventable,” said State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons. He said the charge should “serve as a warning” that there would be severe consequences to parents who endanger their children’s lives.

The case was reviewed by the Children’s Justice Division of the state’s attorney’s office as well as the Madison County Child Advocacy Center, coroner’s office, Alton Police and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Braxton faces one count of endagnering the life or health of a child, a class 3 felony. If convicted, Braxton could serve 2-5 years in prison. Madison County Circuit Judge Kyle Napp set her bail at $75,000. Braxton was not in custody as of Thursday morning.

This story was originally published June 18, 2015 at 12:59 PM with the headline "Prosecutor: Alton woman drunk when she rolled onto baby."