Infant Dies After Arizona Mother Gives Her NyQuil, Melatonin and Leaves Her Alone for Nearly 2 Days: Police

An Arizona mother has been charged with murder after authorities accused her of giving her infant daughter a deadly combination of NyQuil and melatonin, before leaving her alone in an apartment for nearly two days.

Sara Harris, 24, allegedly abandoned her 6-week-old for 37 hours when officers responding to a domestic violence call found the baby dead on a mattress on the living room floor on July 30, 2023, police records stated, according to the Arizona Republic.

The infant's 17-month-old sibling was also there, although her condition is unknown, KPHO-TV reported.

Harris allegedly told police she administered ibuprofen to her baby — who she described as “fussy” — a day prior, and claimed she rocked her to sleep at 2:30 a.m. Harris alleged she left her apartment around 8:00 a.m. that morning and returned an hour later to her unresponsive newborn.

After reviewing surveillance footage, investigators alleged Harris departed her apartment the evening of July 28 and returned the morning of the 30th.

The investigation revealed Harris left her children unattended while she allegedly went clubbing and engaged in sex for money, court documents stated, citing cell phone evidence, according to KPHO. 

During a police interview, she allegedly confessed to giving both her kids the NyQuil and melatonin concoction before leaving them alone.

The infant died as a result of a mucus-clogged windpipe, chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine) intoxication, and an unsafe sleeping environment, the medical examiner determined, per the Republic. 

Harris was arrested Friday on a charge of second-degree murder and child abuse.