Mikaylee Rae Beirne, 31, is accused of holding a child underwater in a backyard swimming pool and refusing to let the youngster resurface until another adult physically pulled her away from the victim, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Background
The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon at a residence on Cochran Road in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Deputies responded shortly before 5 p.m. after receiving reports of a disturbance involving several children at a backyard pool, Sheriff Keith Sexton said in a news release.
According to investigators, multiple children were swimming in the pool with Beirne while another adult was inside the residence. One child came inside and alerted that adult that Beirne was forcing one child underwater, authorities stated.
"The adult witness ran to the pool and demanded that Beirne release the child, which she did not," the sheriff's office wrote. "The witness grabbed Beirne and assisted the child out of the water."
The Investigation
After pulling the child from the pool, the bystander brought all children inside the home and called 911, officials said.
Before deputies arrived, another adult came to the residence and briefly encountered Beirne before she drove away from the scene, investigators stated. Authorities later located her without incident and took her into custody.
Deputies found the child with what they described as minor injuries and bruising consistent with witness accounts of the near-drowning, according to the release.
The Charges
Beirne is charged with one count of aggravated child abuse, neglect, or endangerment in connection with the incident. Court records show she was booked into the Washington County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond and made an initial court appearance Thursday.
Authorities have not disclosed the victim's age or gender, nor have they revealed the child's relationship to Beirne.
Key Takeaways
- Incident occurred Wednesday afternoon at a home on Cochran Road in Jonesborough, Tennessee
- Multiple children were present at the backyard pool during the alleged attack
- A bystander physically intervened and pulled the child from the water after allegedly confronting Beirne
- Child suffered minor injuries consistent with near-drowning
What's Next
Beirne remains held on $50,000 bond following her initial court appearance. Her next scheduled court date was not immediately clear.