FL Men Put Teen In Tub With Frozen Food Before She Died: Police

HERNANDO COUNTY, FL — Two men are facing numerous charges after authorities said they placed an unresponsive girl in a bathtub with water, ice and packages of frozen food. The girl later died, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

Joshua Ware, 18, and James Briski, 24, were both charged with aggravated manslaughter following the girl's death, Hernando County authorities said in a news release.

According to authorities, Ware went to a home on Bancroft Avenue in Spring Hill early Thursday. Authorities said he was with the victim, who was already unconscious.

Police said Ware and Briski carried the girl from Ware's car into the home, where Ware told Briski the girl appeared to be overheating due to cocaine use.

According to authorities, the two men placed the girl in a bathtub and filled it with water, ice and packages of frozen food to reduce her body temperature; however, the teen's condition worsened as time passed.

Authorities said the men contacted police around 3:30 a.m. when the victim stopped breathing. Before police arrived, authorities said Ware and Briski disposed of cocaine in their possession and the packages of frozen food. Ware also performed CPR on the victim until first responders arrived, police said.

After authorities interviewed the two men, Ware was also charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and fentanyl trafficking. Briski was charged with possession of cocaine.

Ware and Briski were taken to the Hernando County jail, where they were being held on $170,000 and $30,000 bond, respectively.

Anyone with information about the case should contact Hernando County Crime Stoppers at 866-990-TIPS. Tips may also be submitted online.