A 7-month-old baby girl died with nearly twice the lethal dose of Benadryl in her bloodstream after an unlicensed daycare operator administered the fatal medication in military housing.
Key Takeaways
- Dixie Villa was sentenced to 20 years in prison for manslaughter after fatally overdosing 7-month-old Abigail Lobisch with Benadryl at her unlicensed daycare on a military base
- The infant had diphenhydramine levels nearly twice the average concentration found in fatal overdoses, with even higher levels in her urine
- Villa continued operating her unlicensed daycare despite being shut down multiple times by military base officials
- The tragedy prompted the Defense Department to investigate unauthorized daycare operations on military installations nationwide
- Medical experts emphasize that Benadryl should never be given to children under 6 without a doctor’s orders
Maximum Sentence Handed Down in Tragic Infant Death Case
A Hawaii judge has imposed the maximum 20-year prison sentence on Dixie Denise Villa for the 2019 manslaughter of 7-month-old Abigail Lobisch, who died from a fatal Benadryl overdose while in Villa’s care. The incident occurred at Villa’s unlicensed daycare facility located in the Aliamanu Military Reservation on Oahu. Circuit Court Judge Faaunga Toʻotoʻo was unequivocal in his ruling, citing the overwhelming evidence against Villa and the preventable nature of the tragedy. Villa’s attorney has indicated plans to appeal the conviction, but her request for a new trial has already been denied.
“This was a difficult trial,” he said. “The facts and the law here are clear. This should not have happened” Stated by, Faaunga Toʻotoʻo
Lethal Levels of Medication Found in Infant’s System
Medical examinations revealed shocking levels of diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, in baby Abigail’s system. The Honolulu medical examiner determined the cause of death to be “diphenhydramine toxicity.” Blood tests showed concentrations nearly twice the average level found in fatal infant overdoses. Subsequent autopsy findings were even more alarming, revealing over 5,000 ng/mL of the medication in the baby’s urine. These findings conclusively demonstrated that the infant received a massive dose of the antihistamine medication, which is not approved for use in children under 6 without medical supervision.
“This drug should never be given to any child under the age of 6 without a doctor’s orders,” Kaeo Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tiffany Kaeo.
Repeated Violations of Military Childcare Regulations
Court documents revealed that Villa had been operating her daycare business despite multiple cease and desist orders from military housing authorities. Unlike certified military family childcare providers who undergo rigorous training and regular inspections, Villa’s operation had no oversight. The tragic incident has prompted the Department of Defense to launch investigations into unauthorized daycare operations across military installations nationwide. Military family childcare on installations typically requires certification and is subject to strict regulations designed to ensure child safety.
A Mother’s Unending Grief
Anna Lobisch, Abigail’s mother, delivered a heartbreaking impact statement at Villa’s sentencing hearing, describing the devastating effect of losing her daughter. Speaking through tears, she explained how the pain of her daughter’s absence remains constant more than six years after the tragedy. Lobisch had entrusted her daughter to Villa’s care while she served our country, never imagining that this routine childcare arrangement would end in such tragedy. The military community has rallied around the Lobisch family, highlighting the unique challenges military families face in securing safe childcare.
“My heart has never stopped hurting,” Lobisch said through tears. “The loss and the pain of living without Abby is a heavy weight that I will carry every single day for the rest of my life until Abby and I are finally reunited” Stated by, Anna Lobisch
Call for Greater Accountability and Safety Measures
This case has highlighted critical failures in the oversight of childcare facilities, particularly in military housing areas where families often struggle to find affordable, quality care. Honolulu prosecuting attorney Steve Alm emphasized the importance of holding caregivers accountable for the safety of children entrusted to them. Villa, who was married to an active-duty sailor at the time of the incident but has since divorced, will now face the consequences of her actions behind bars. The parole board will determine the minimum time she must serve before becoming eligible for release.
“The amount of Benadryl found in the blood system of baby Abi shouldn’t be given to any minor, much less to a baby seven months old. Those are the facts in this case” Stated by, Judge Fa’auuga To’oto’o
