LOUISVILLE, KY – A Louisville woman will spend nearly a decade in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the tragic drowning of her infant son on New Year’s Day. Authorities say Amber Winstead, 36, fell asleep in a motel bathtub while under the influence of drugs, leading to the death of 3-month-old Ki’Arri Rayne Winstead.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of January 1, when police received a call to a Motel 6 on Airport Hotel Boulevard. Responding officers found the infant unresponsive. Investigators learned that Winstead had entered the bath with her son and subsequently fell asleep for several hours. When she was awakened, her baby had been submerged in the water and was not breathing. Emergency responders pronounced the child dead at the scene.
Prosecutors say Winstead was formally sentenced on Thursday to a total of nine years behind bars. She will serve seven years for manslaughter and an additional two years for violating parole from a previous narcotics possession case in 2021. Winstead must complete at least 85 percent of her manslaughter term before she is considered for parole.
As part of a plea deal, a charge linked to being a persistent felony offender was dismissed. The sentencing hearing included emotional accounts from Winstead’s defense, who expressed her wish to be allowed out on house arrest prior to incarceration so she could visit her son’s grave. Her attorney stated that she was seeking a measure of closure before beginning her prison sentence.
Winstead was taken into custody in the parking lot of the funeral home shortly before her son’s burial. The judge deliberating her case acknowledged the severity of the events and noted, “The situation is tragic all around,” indicating empathy for those affected.
It remains unclear whether Winstead was granted permission to visit her child’s gravesite before reporting to state custody.
Court records indicate that the boy, born on September 24, 2024, had brought immense joy to his mother and family. According to his obituary, Ki’Arri was described as a joyful infant with a calming presence, beloved by relatives for his serene and happy nature.
The boy’s death has sparked renewed discussion in the community about the dangers of drug use among caregivers and the responsibilities parents face while caring for young children. Social services and local organizations continue to urge families in crisis to seek help before preventable tragedies occur.
Winstead is expected to serve her sentence in a Kentucky state correctional facility.
