A Johnson City woman was charged by Washington County Sheriff’s deputies with aggravated child abuse and neglect after an incident in which she allegedly held a child underwater.
According to a press release, deputies responded to a residence on Cochran Road shortly before 5:00 pm Wednesday, July 15. Witnesses reported that 31-year-old Mikaylee Rae Beirne was with multiple children in the backyard pool, while another adult was inside of the home.
One of the children came inside to alert the other adult that Beirne was forcing one child under water. The adult ran to the pool and demanded Beirne release the child, which she reportedly did not. The witness grabbed Beirne and assisted the child out of the water. All of the children were taken inside the home and 911 was contacted.
Prior to the arrival of law enforcement, another adult arrived at the home and had a brief interaction with Beirne before she was seen leaving in a vehicle.
Deputies observed the child to have minor injuries and bruising consistent with witness statements of the incident.
Beirne was located a short time later and transported to the Washington County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond. She was due in court Thursday, July 16.
