A Tennessee woman has been charged with aggravated child abuse after authorities say she allegedly held a child underwater in a backyard swimming pool until another adult intervened and pulled her away.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Mikaylee Rae Beirne, 31, was arrested following the incident, which occurred Wednesday afternoon at a residence in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
Deputies Respond to Emergency Call
Deputies were dispatched shortly before 5 p.m. to a home on Cochran Road after receiving a report of a disturbance involving several children at a backyard swimming pool.
Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton said the incident unfolded while Beirne was in the pool with multiple children and another adult was inside the residence.
Child Alerted Adult to Alleged Drowning Attempt
According to investigators, one of the children ran into the house and alerted the adult that Beirne was allegedly forcing another child underwater.
The adult immediately rushed outside to the pool and demanded that Beirne release the child.
Authorities said Beirne allegedly refused to let the child up despite those demands.
Investigators stated that the witness then physically grabbed Beirne, pulled her away from the child, and helped the youngster out of the water.
After rescuing the child, the adult gathered all of the children inside the home and called 911.
Suspect Left Before Police Arrived
Before deputies reached the residence, another adult reportedly arrived and briefly encountered Beirne.
According to investigators, Beirne then left the property in a vehicle before law enforcement arrived.
Deputies later located her a short time afterward and arrested her without incident.
She was transported to the Washington County Detention Center.
Child Found With Minor Injuries
Authorities said the child sustained minor injuries and bruising that investigators believe are consistent with witness accounts of the incident.
Officials have not released the child’s age or gender, and they have not disclosed the relationship between the child and Beirne.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Beirne has been charged with one count of aggravated child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.
Court records show she was booked into the Washington County Detention Center with a bond set at $50,000.
She made her initial court appearance on Thursday, though court records did not immediately indicate when she is scheduled to return to court.
The investigation remains ongoing. Beirne is presumed innocent unless and until the allegations against her are proven in court.
