An Arkansas couple has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder after a 2-year-old boy tragically drowned during what they claimed was a swimming lesson.
Annastacia Atkins, 24, and her husband, Dakota Shawn Hays, 29, were taken into custody on January 13, 2025... Continue reading here ▶
The boy, Atkins’ son, drowned in June 2024 at a pool owned by Hays’ aunt.
Atkins is also charged with permitting the abuse of a minor, while Hays faces charges of endangering the welfare of a minor.
According to authorities, the boy was repeatedly thrown into the pool during the so-called lesson. He became unresponsive and died three days later, on June 17, 2024.
An autopsy revealed he had suffered prolonged oxygen deprivation and multiple injuries to his head, face, and torso, suggesting ongoing abuse.
Hays told investigators he had been teaching the boy and two other children—ages 4 and 6—how to swim by holding them underwater and resurfacing with them.
On the day of the drowning, Hays said he returned to the pool with the 2-year-old after dinner, leaving the other children to get ready for bed. About 45 minutes later, Hays told Atkins that something was wrong with the boy.
Atkins said the child was cold, stiff, and unresponsive when pulled from the pool. She said his heart had stopped but claimed chest compressions made him cough up water. Both she and Hays insisted the drowning and injuries were accidents.
However, investigators found evidence of a troubling pattern of abuse. A 4-year-old boy told authorities that Hays had thrown him into the pool, nearly causing him to drown, and had hit him with a stick.
A 6-year-old girl said Hays repeatedly threw the 2-year-old into the pool, even though the toddler was terrified and couldn’t swim. She described having to pull him from the bottom of the pool multiple times.
Hays and Atkins are being held in custody. Hays’ bond is set at $1 million, and Atkins’ bond is set at $750,000. It is unclear if they have hired lawyers to represent them.
