A Phoenix father now faces a more serious criminal charge after a Maricopa County grand jury this week issued a warrant in the death of his infant son. Prosecutors allege 40-year-old Sione Pulotu is responsible for the April 4, 2023 bathtub death of his 7-month-old boy. Pulotu remains in custody on a $200,000 cash-only bond. The grand jury move marks a major escalation more than three years after the child was found unresponsive at a Phoenix home.
Grand Jury Bumps Case to Manslaughter
A Maricopa County grand jury issued the warrant Tuesday, upgrading an earlier child-abuse case to reckless manslaughter, according to AZ Family. Court documents cited by the outlet say Pulotu placed the baby in an infant tub, walked out of the bathroom to play video games and later returned to find the child face down in the water. Pulotu told investigators he called 911 right away, but police contend the 911 call came roughly an hour later. The infant was taken to a hospital, where doctors determined he was brain dead.
State Child-Welfare Agency Substantiated Neglect
The Arizona Department of Child Safety later reviewed the death and, in a fatality summary, said it "substantiated the allegation of neglect" by Pulotu on June 24, 2025, after its investigation, according to a DCS fatality document (DCS). The report recounts the April 4 timeline and notes the child was pronounced dead after hospital treatment.
What Investigators Reported Back in 2023
When the case first surfaced in April 2023, court filings stated that Pulotu told officers he filled the infant tub and left the room while the baby slept on and off, saying he could see into the bathroom through a "one-inch" opening in the door. Phoenix Fire Captain Scott Douglas told reporters that "It only takes a couple inches of water for a child to drown," a reminder of how quickly bath-time can turn deadly, as previously reported by AZ Family.
What Comes Next in Court
Under Maricopa County practice, a grand jury warrant typically leads to an initial appearance and arraignment in Superior Court, where prosecutors decide how to proceed and the defendant may enter a plea, per the county's criminal-proceedings guidance (Maricopa County). Upcoming court filings and docket entries are expected to clarify whether the county will pursue an indictment or any additional charges tied to the upgraded count.
We will update this story when new court records or official statements become available.
