Father charged in baby's drowning

Tuesday, May 30, 2000 | 11:30 a.m.

The father of a 11-month-old girl found dead in a bathtub Sunday afternoon faces charges of second-degree murder and felony child neglect.

Johnny Avila was arrested Sunday after police say he left his daughter, Katie Cortes, in the bathtub of their apartment at 1005 N. Jones Blvd. by herself for at least an hour, Metro Detective Todd Rosenberg said.

Police said Avila fell asleep while the baby was in the tub.

The Clark County Coroner's Office has ruled the girl's death a drowning.