Mikaylee Rae Beirne, 31, of Johnson City, Tennessee, was arrested on July 15 and charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect. The Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to a disturbance at a home on Cochran Road around 5 p.m. after receiving reports of an incident in a backyard swimming pool.
Witnesses told deputies that Beirne was in the pool with several children when another adult was inside the home. According to investigators, one of the children ran inside to alert the adult that Beirne was allegedly holding another child underwater. The adult then went to the pool and demanded Beirne release the child, but she reportedly refused. Authorities stated the adult pulled Beirne away and helped the child out of the water.
Another adult arrived at the scene and briefly interacted with Beirne before deputies arrived. Beirne left the location before law enforcement responded. The children were taken inside the home, and emergency personnel were called. Officials reported the child suffered minor injuries and bruising.
Deputies located Beirne a short time later and took her into custody. She is being held at the Washington County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond.
Mikaylee Rae Beirne was charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect after authorities said she tried to drown one of her children in a backyard swimming pool in Johnson City, Tennessee. (Washington County Sheriff's Office)
