Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Crimes Against Children Unit

Liam Morris (Victim - Deceased)
DOB: 08/22/2016
Address: 364 69^th Street North, unincorporated Clearwater

Alan Mark Morris (Father of victim - Arrested)
DOB: 11/15/1982
Address: 364 69^th Street North, unincorporated Clearwater
Charges: One count of aggravated manslaughter (domestic)

Madelynne Barenbrugge (Mother of victim)
DOB: 07/13/1983
Address: 364 69^th Street North, unincorporated Clearwater

What:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit have arrested a Clearwater man after his 1-year-old son was found submerged in the family’s bathtub.

When:
The drowning occurred at about 9:40 p.m. on Thursday, September 28, 2017.

The arrest occurred at about 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 12, 2017.

Where:
The incident occurred at a private residence located at 364 69th Street North, in unincorporated Clearwater.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit arrested a Clearwater man after completing their investigation into the drowning of a 1-year-old boy that was found submerged in the family’s bathtub, in unincorporated Clearwater.

Detectives began their investigation on September 28, 2017, after being called to the scene to investigate the drowning. The victim, Liam Morris, was placed in the bathtub by his father, 34-year-old Alan Morris, as the bath was being prepared for him.  Liam was later found submerged under the water.   

Paramedics were called and Liam was transported by ambulance, to the Largo Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.

Detectives say the suspect sat Liam on the floor of the bathtub with the water running, plugged the drain, and left the bathroom. Detectives also stated there was a bath seat available in the tub, but Morris did not place Liam in the seat. Morris admitted leaving Liam in the bathtub long enough for the water to run over the edge of the tub.

Morris was initially cooperative with detectives regarding the investigation, but became uncooperative as the investigation continued.

Detectives determined Morris left the victim in the bathtub, unsupervised, with the water actively running, somewhere between eight and twenty-three minutes, depending on the water flow of the faucet.

On October 12, 2017, detectives arrested Morris and charged him with one count of aggravated manslaughter.

Morris was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri held a press conference at 3:00 p.m. today at the Sheriff's Administration Building located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo, and discussed the investigation that led to the arrest of Morris.

Sheriff Gualtieri stated Morris’ actions caused the death of Liam. “That’s beyond careless, that’s criminal, and that’s why he was charged,” Gualtieri stated.  

There have been no charges placed on the mother, 34-year-old Madelynne Barenbrugge.

To view the complete press conference held by Sheriff Gualtieri please go to, https://youtu.be/bz3XBxcqKnw.

The investigation continues.