An adult rescued the child after witnesses said a woman refused to release the young victim from underwater.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — A child alerted an adult after seeing a woman allegedly forcing another child underwater in a backyard pool, prompting an intervention that authorities said prevented the encounter from becoming more serious.
Mikaylee Rae Beirne, 31, was arrested on a charge of aggravated child abuse and neglect following the July 15 incident, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. She was being held at the Washington County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond.
Authorities said several children were in the pool with Beirne at about 5 p.m. while another adult was inside the home. One child noticed what was happening and ran indoors to seek help.
The adult rushed to the pool and ordered Beirne to release the child, investigators said. When Beirne allegedly refused, the adult physically intervened and helped the child get out of the water.
The adult then brought all of the children inside the residence and called 911. Officials did not release the children’s names or ages, which is common in cases involving minors.
Deputies said the child who had been held underwater suffered minor injuries and bruising that appeared consistent with witness accounts. Authorities did not report that the child required hospitalization or suffered life-threatening injuries.
Beirne allegedly had a brief interaction with another adult who arrived at the home before she drove away, the Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies later located her and took her into custody.
Officials have not publicly explained Beirne’s relationship to the children, why she was in the pool with them or what may have led to the alleged incident. They also have not released further details about the child who sought help.
The charge against Beirne is an allegation and does not establish guilt. Publicly available reports did not indicate whether she had entered a plea or retained an attorney who could comment on her behalf.
The case remained under investigation Saturday. Authorities had not announced additional arrests or released information about Beirne’s next court appearance.