Tennessee Woman Arrested After Alleged Drowning Attempt at Residential Pool

A Johnson City resident was taken into custody this week following allegations that she attempted to drown a child at a home in Washington County, Tennessee. The incident unfolded on July 15 at a Cochran Road residence, triggering an immediate law enforcement investigation by the sheriff’s office.

Mikaylee Rae Beirne, 31, has been charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect in connection with the incident. Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton stated that deputies responded to the property around 5 p.m. after receiving a report of a disturbance at the scene.

Witnesses reported that Beirne was in the backyard swimming pool with multiple children while another adult was inside the house. When one child went indoors to alert the supervising adult, they reported that Beirne was forcibly submerging another child in the water.

The indoor adult quickly moved to the pool area and demanded that Beirne release the child. After Beirne refused to comply with initial instructions, the adult physically intervened and removed the child from the water to prevent further harm.

Before law enforcement arrived, a third adult appeared on the property and had a brief conversation with Beirne. Beirne then departed the scene, eluding initial contact with arriving deputies.

The child sustained minor bruising and injuries but was not hospitalized following the incident. Medical personnel evaluated the child’s condition at the scene after being summoned by authorities.

Beirne was apprehended by deputies in the hours following her departure from the residence. She remains incarcerated at the Washington County Detention Center with bond established at $50,000.