A Philadelphia woman has been charged with murder following the tragic drowning of a toddler in her care, igniting widespread anger from the child’s biological family. Apalosnia Watson, aged 39, faces third-degree murder and child endangerment charges related to the death of 20-month-old Sy’vir Hill, who drowned in a bathtub while Watson briefly left the children unattended.
Incident Details
The incident occurred on April 15, 2025, in Watson’s residence on East Schiller Street, located in the Harrowgate neighbourhood. At the time, Watson was caring for Sy’vir and two other young children, aged 2 and 4. According to a probable cause affidavit, she left them in the bathtub to heat food in the microwave. During this brief absence, she reported hearing splashing noises but did not return in time to prevent the tragedy. Upon her return, she found Sy’vir submerged in the water.
Watson attempted to perform CPR and promptly called emergency services. Paramedics arrived on the scene and endeavoured to revive the child, but tragically, Sy’vir was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. Officers at the scene described Watson as visibly distraught, repeatedly exclaiming, “I don’t want to go to jail.”
Delayed Investigation Raises Concerns
Despite a postmortem examination conducted the day after Sy’vir’s death, the cause and manner of death remained unresolved for nine months, prompting significant frustration from the child’s biological mother, Sharee Collins, and her legal representative, A.J. Thomson. Thomson expressed disbelief that such a critical case would not be expedited, emphasising, “If there’s a case that we should prioritise in our society, it’s the death of a 1-year-old child.”
Collins, who had placed her trust in the foster care system, lamented, “He didn’t deserve that, he didn’t. I wouldn’t wish it on nobody else.” At the time of the incident, several other children were also residing in Watson’s home, including Sy’vir’s 4-month-old sister and a 17-year-old.
Legal Actions Underway
In October 2025, Collins initiated a civil lawsuit against Tabor Children’s Services and Northeast Treatment Centers, alleging that they had placed her son in an overcrowded environment, which may have contributed to the tragedy. Watson reportedly had four foster children under the age of five in her care, exceeding the recommended limits. Thomson raised concerns about Watson’s decision to leave the children unattended, questioning the necessity of her actions.
In response to the prolonged investigation, Thomson filed a second lawsuit in November, seeking to compel the medical examiner to finalise the cause of death. Following judicial intervention, the medical examiner’s office classified Sy’vir’s cause of death as drowning, with the manner being ruled as homicide on December 4, 2025.
Watson was subsequently arrested on January 13, 2026. Her attorney, S. Philip Steinberg, stated that Watson is heartbroken over Sy’vir’s accidental death but maintains her innocence, asserting that she did not commit a crime. A court appearance is scheduled for March 4, 2026.
Why it Matters
This case highlights critical issues surrounding child welfare in foster care systems, particularly concerning oversight and accountability. The tragic loss of Sy’vir Hill serves as a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities that children face, especially within crowded living conditions. As the community grapples with this heartbreaking incident, it underscores the urgent need for reform to ensure the safety and well-being of children placed in foster care, preventing similar tragedies from occurring in the future.