Sean Flowers, accused in drowning death of his own 3-month-old son, his namesake, pleads guilty

MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- 25-year-old Sean Flowers, accused in the drowning death of his own young son has reached a plea deal in the case against him.

In court on Monday, December 12th, instead of a jury trial getting underway, Flowers pleaded guilty to a felony charge of first degree reckless homicide.

Flowers will be sentenced on January 25th.

Sean Flowers III drowned in a pond on N. 75th Street on Milwaukee's far northwest side on July 30th.

Sean Flowers III (PHOTO: GoFundMe.com)

Sean Flowers

According to the criminal complaint filed in this case, Sean Flowers was at a family party in an apartment near the pond on July 30th when he became angry with the baby's mother -- and grabbed the child as a crowd gathered to try to stop him.

The complaint says Flowers punched his own sister in the face and waded into the pond with Sean Flowers III -- as multiple family members begged and pleaded with Flowers to hand Sean Flowers III over to the family.

Flowers' sister called 911 at 8:42 p.m. on that Saturday to report that Flowers was "threatening to throw his three-month-old child...into the water." When police arrived on the scene, they witnessed a large group of citizens at the water's edge yelling, "He's drowning the baby."

Investigation into death of infant boy

Pond near 75th and Glenbrook

Officers spotted two men in the water -- one was a man who was trying to rescue the baby, the other was Flowers. It was about 8:55 p.m. when the complaint indicates Flowers "dropped Sean Flowers III into the water." Flowers then swam deeper into the pond.

The complaint says Griffin told investigators Flowers stated: "Abraham killed his son, Isaac. Jesus will forgive me," as Griffin searched the water for the baby.

The criminal complaint indicates one officer who jumped into the water was able to locate the body of the child. The boy was immediately brought back to shore where the officer began CPR. Milwaukee firefighters arrived on the scene a short time later. But despite all the efforts, the infant was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Sean Flowers III

Officers continued to monitor Flowers in the water. The complaint says he "would go under water and then come back up." He apparently did this approximately five times. But eventually, two officers were able to get hold of Flowers, keep him above water and get him back to shore. The complaint says during this time Flowers "said he was going to burn in hell for killing his son and the police would be blessed for saving him."

Investigation into death of infant boy

The complaint indicates Flowers became combative with officers once they got to shore. Flowers had to be tased so the officers could put him in handcuffs.

During an in-custody interview on July 31st, Flowers "claimed to not remember any of the events of July 30th." He did however recall "being kicked and tased by police." The complaint says "when informed that (Flowers) killed his son, (Flowers) showed no emotion, and instead talked about not being able to see the (Flowers') family anymore." He also asked "how much time does that carry?"

The complaint also indicates Flowers brought up free will during the in-custody interview. A detective responded: "like, you had the free will to kill your kid?" Flowers responded, 'right.'"

Memorial for Sean Flowers III

FOX6 News obtained a copy of a request for a temporary restraining order filed by the three-month-old boy's mother in April of 2015. It mentions another child the two had in common. The woman wrote that she was "scared that he will harm me. He hit me and my eye was swollen." The report says: "A few days later, he hit me with a closed fist several times and would not let me leave." The woman apparently asked the man what he wanted, and "he said to see his child."

The restraining order was not upheld. It was dismissed. The woman did not show up for the court date.

Vigil for Sean Flowers III

A relative told police Flowers seemed angry Saturday that his girlfriend was dancing at the family party prior to the incident -- saying she didn't work or take care of the children enough, but she could dance.