Mother charged with involuntary manslaughter after infant found dead on Christmas Eve

DALLAS, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina woman has now been charged with felony involuntary manslaughter after her infant son was found dead on Christmas Eve while authorities say she was apparently on prescription drugs.

Preliminary autopsy reports could not determine how the infant died.

According to a news release from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, the woman's husband, who was also the infant's father, called 911 saying he came home to find his 6-month-old son unresponsive, naked and alone on the living room sofa.

Authorities say 30-year-old Stephanie Tillman and the couple's other two children were found elsewhere in the house. The children have been taken into custody by social services.

According to the release, Tillman was treated on-scene for "what appeared to be extreme intoxication from prescribed medication."

Tillman had already been charged with child neglect and child abuse, before the preliminary autopsy results.

Her secured bond was increased to $60,000. Her next court date is January 12.