NJ Baby Suffocated In Drunk Mother’s Arms, Prosecutor Says

LOWER TWP., NJ — A Cape May County mom was sentenced to New Jersey State Prison after she drank several bottles of vodka and fell asleep with her 6-month-old son in her arms, waking up several hours later to find him unresponsive, authorities said.

Michelle Stanton, 29, from the Villas section of Lower Township, was sentenced to four years for manslaughter on Nov. 19, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland said.

The baby, identified as "C.C.," was pronounced dead just after 3 a.m. on June 25, 2023, Sutherland said.

Earlier, Stanton had drank 12 to 14 airplane bottles of vodka and fallen asleep with C.C. in her arms, Sutherland said.

She woke hours later to find C.C. wedged between the mattress and wall in her bedroom, unconscious and unresponsive, Sutherland said.

Lower Township police responded and C.C. was taken to Cape Regional Medical Center, where he was ultimately pronounced dead.

Stanton was indicted on second degree manslaughter and second degree endangering the welfare of a child charges on Aug. 20, 2024. She then pleaded guilty to second degree manslaughter on Sept. 23, to be sentenced a degree lower, Sutherland said. Her sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act, meaning she must serve at least 85 percent before she reaches parole eligibility.