Trial Begins For Parents Accused In Baby's Vodka Death
Baby's Blood-Alcohol Level Almost 5 Times Legal Limit For Driving In Fla.
POSTED: Thursday, August 21, 2008
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The trial for two parents accused of giving their infant daughter fatal doses of vodka began Thursday.Mardala Derival and Mackenson Dantus are charged with aggravated manslaughter in connection with the death of their 3-month-old daughter on Valentine's Day 2004.The couple was arrested in New Jersey after an autopsy revealed that the baby died from liver disease and had a blood-alcohol level of 0.47 -- almost five times above the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle in the state of Florida.Derival and Dantus allegedly served the baby a home-remedy cocktail to keep her from crying."They mixed water, vodka, sugar and salt in the bottle," Fort Lauderdale Police Detective Kathy Collins said at the time.Broward County's top toxicologist testified Thursday."The bottle of baby formula was then also analyzed to determine whether or not there was alcohol in the baby formula to see if maybe that's how the infant received the alcohol," Dr. Harold Schuler said.
Previous Stories:
- January 27, 2006: Mother Accused In Baby's Vodka Cocktail Death Is Back In Florida
- January 18, 2006: Father Accused Of Giving Baby Fatal Vodka Cocktail Enters Plea
- December 1, 2005: Parents Accused Of Giving Infant Fatal Dose Of Vodka Now In Custody
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