A 30-year-old Sterling woman was arrested Tuesday and charged with homicide, two counts of child abuse and three counts of child endangerment after investigators determined her 8-month-old child drowned in a bathtub while left unsupervised. Rosellena Pisani faces the charges following a weeks-long investigation into the September death of her infant.
According to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded Sept. 10 to assist Loudoun County Fire and Rescue with an unresponsive infant. Investigators determined the child had been left in a bathtub with running water without adult supervision, as reported by WJLA. Three children, ranging in age from 8 months to 8 years old, were in the home at the time of the incident, the station reported.
Charges Follow Weeks-Long Investigation
Pisani was arrested Oct. 27 and charged with homicide, two counts of child abuse and three counts of child endangerment, per the same account. The sheriff's office said the investigation remains active and is asking anyone with relevant information to contact Detective Franks.
Sheriff Mike Chapman addressed the case directly, saying, “Parents and caregivers have a fundamental responsibility to protect the children in their care.” The sheriff's office has not released additional details about the circumstances inside the home or the identities of the other children present.
What Virginia Law Says About Child Endangerment
Under Virginia law, a person responsible for the care of a child under 18 can be found guilty of a Class 6 felony when a willful act or omission is so gross, wanton and culpable that it shows reckless disregard for human life, according to the Code of Virginia. The available evidence does not establish the factual basis for each individual charge beyond the reported circumstances, and no court records, bond information, hearing dates or case outcome have been verified.
Drowning prevention researchers note that most drownings involving young children happen in residential settings, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The case remains under active investigation, and no additional information about the underlying circumstances has been released.
