In Kent County, Michigan, bodycam footage captured a deeply emotional moment as a mother broke down while speaking with an investigator, claiming she and her family were being treated “like we’re animals.” The woman, Olivia Elizabeth Miller, recently pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to one year in jail, with 246 days already served, for the tragic death of her 8-month-old son, Asher Johnson.
The heartbreaking incident occurred when Miller left her baby unattended in a bathtub for about 20 minutes. Unfortunately, the child lost his life during that time. Authorities later revealed that Miller had given conflicting accounts of what happened leading up to her son’s death. Investigators analyzed her cellphone activity and discovered she had been on her phone almost non-stop during those critical moments, with only an 18-second break in the 21 minutes before she called 911. Just four minutes before making the emergency call, Miller had texted her father, saying that Asher was taking a nap.
In a partially redacted interview dated November 22, 2023, Miller expressed overwhelming regret and guilt. Fighting back tears, she admitted, “I’m going to have nightmares for the rest of my life about this.” She also reflected on her loss, saying, “I can’t bring back my son.” Though she mentioned she doesn’t believe in Heaven, she struggled with the belief that it was her baby’s time to go, adding, “He was supposed to grow up.”
The investigator in the footage gently responded, “It’s never a good time,” acknowledging the devastating nature of the loss. Miller’s pain was evident as she grappled with the reality of her actions and the irreversible tragedy that had unfolded.
This case has left many in the local community shaken, serving as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly life can change and the dangers of distractions when caring for young children.
