Florida police are looking for the parents of an infant who died last year after they fed her fatal doses of vodka to help her sleep.

Three-month old Makeisha Dantus died in 2004. Her parents, Mackenson Dantus and Mardala Derival, were charged with aggravated manslaughter last month, but by that time, they had disappeared. Authorities believe the couple is still in Florida.

Detective Katherine Collins says that police did not charge the couple right away, partly because of their lack of cooperation, reports The Associated Press.

"The last thing you're expecting is for a child to die of alcohol poisoning at age 3 months," she said. "A homicide case is very delicate, and they take time, unfortunately."

Extensive toxicology tests also caused delays. The tests showed that the baby had likely been exposed to alcohol for several weeks. Her blood alcohol level was 0.47, about five times the legal limit for Florida drivers.

Makeisha's father called 911 on Feb. 14, 2004, because the baby was unresponsive, Collins reports. The baby died at the scene.

According to a police report, the parents, who are Haitian immigrants, told officers that they had been feeding the baby a bottle filled with water, sugar and vodka to help her sleep.

Small quantities of alcohol have traditionally been used to quiet crying babies, but authorities say the amount fed to Makeisha was extreme.