A backyard swim in Jonesborough turned into a scare on July 15 when witnesses say a woman repeatedly shoved a child underwater until a bystander stepped in and yanked the child to safety. Washington County deputies arrested 31-year-old Mikaylee Rae Beirne after the incident, and investigators say the child suffered minor injuries and bruising. Court records list charges of aggravated child abuse and neglect and show Beirne is being held on a $50,000 bond.
According to the Tampa Free Press, deputies were called just before 5 p.m. to a home on Cochran Road in Jonesborough after one child ran inside and alerted an adult that Beirne was forcing another child under the water in the backyard pool. Witnesses told investigators the adult rushed outside, ordered Beirne to let the child go, then physically pulled the victim away before gathering all the children and heading back inside to call 911. Sheriff’s officials say Beirne briefly spoke with another adult at the scene, then drove away before deputies arrived.
What investigators say
Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton said deputies later tracked down Beirne and took her into custody without incident, then transported her to the Washington County Detention Center, as reported by Fox News. Deputies examined the alleged victim and documented minor injuries and bruising that they say lined up with what witnesses described. Authorities have not released the child’s identity or explained how, if at all, the child is connected to Beirne.
Charges and legal stakes
Beirne faces counts of aggravated child abuse and neglect tied to what allegedly happened in the pool. Under Tennessee’s Haley’s Law, aggravated child abuse is treated as a Class B felony, and it can be bumped up to a Class A felony in certain situations, including when the victim is eight years old or younger, according to Justia. In practical terms, the law reflects how seriously the state treats violent or highly dangerous conduct involving children.
Drowning remains a preventable risk
Tennessee’s own child fatality reviews have repeatedly flagged drowning as one of the most preventable ways children die. The Tennessee Department of Health’s 2023 Child Fatality Annual Report notes that pools, hot tubs and spas made up a significant share of drowning deaths over the years studied, and that the vast majority of those deaths were considered probably preventable. In the report’s table for 2021, officials recorded 12 pool-related child drownings and concluded that 97% of all drowning deaths were probably preventable, underscoring how a fast-acting bystander can make the difference between a close call and a tragedy, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.
What happens next
Court records reviewed by the Tampa Free Press show Beirne was scheduled for an initial arraignment on July 16 and remains held on a $50,000 bond. Local outlets, including Law&Crime, report that investigators are still interviewing witnesses while the Washington County Sheriff’s Office prepares any formal filings for the district attorney’s office to review.
