MERRICK, New York — An 18-month-old boy is dead, and his mother is facing serious criminal charges after prosecutors say she left him unattended for over an hour while she drank herself sick in a bathroom.
Olivia Bithorn, 36, is charged with manslaughter and two counts of child endangerment in connection with the death of her son, Luke Russell Jr.
The incident happened on April 12 at an Airbnb in Merrick, a hamlet in Nassau County on Long Island.
What Prosecutors Say Happened
According to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, Bithorn gave her two young children uncooked popcorn kernels before retreating to the bathroom, where she became ill from excessive drinking.
While she was gone, Luke swallowed some of the kernels. They became lodged in his throat and blocked his airway.
It was his 3-year-old sister who had to go and tell their mother something was wrong.
By the time help was called, it was too late.
“Her son was blue and cold to the touch,” Donnelly said. “They estimate, allegedly, he was dead for over an hour before 911 was called.”
Evidence Presented in Court
Prosecutors showed photographs from the scene. Images revealed popcorn kernels and toys scattered across the floor, along with a nearly empty bottle of vodka nearby.
Bithorn told police she would never have given her son uncooked kernels and suggested the popcorn must have spilled from a batch she made for her daughter.
Prosecutors argued that her absence — spanning well over an hour — went far beyond a momentary lapse.
“It’s an accident if you leave the room for a few minutes,” Donnelly said. “But it’s criminal if you actually give your child these kernels to eat and not be present in case something happens.”
What Happens Next
Bithorn was initially released after her June 18 arrest. A judge later set bail at $500,000 and issued a restraining order keeping her away from her estranged husband and surviving daughter.
She is due back in court on July 23.
