A quick-thinking boy sprang into action after a Tennessee woman allegedly tried to drown another child.
Mikaylee Rae Beirne, 31, of Johnson City, was arrested Wednesday after deputies say she was caught allegedly holding a child underwater, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
The alleged attack unfolded just before 5pm during a backyard pool party on Cochran Road in Jonesborough.
According to witnesses, Beirne was in the backyard pool with several children while another adult remained inside the home.
Moments later, the brave youngster ran inside the home to alert the other adult that Beirne was allegedly drowning another child.
‘The adult witness ran to the pool and demanded that Beirne release the child, which she did not,’ the press release stated.
‘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,’ it added.
After the alleged drowning attempt, another adult came to the home and had a ‘brief interaction’ with Beirne.
Mikaylee Rae Beirne, 31, of Johnson City, was arrested Wednesday after deputies say she was caught allegedly holding a child underwater
The alleged attack unfolded just before 5pm during a backyard pool party on Cochran Road in Jonesborough
According to witnesses, Beirne was in the backyard pool with several children while another adult remained inside the home
She then fled the scene before the authorities arrived.
‘Deputies observed the child to have minor injuries and bruising consistent with witness statements of the incident,’ according to the press release.
Authorities later located the 31-year-old and took her into custody. She was charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect.
Beirne is being held in the Washington County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond.
The exact ages of the children have not been released. The Daily Mail has reached out to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
On social media, members of the community rallied around the quick-thinking child, hailing them as a hero for helping save the other youngster.
‘Thank God the child alerted the other adult in time,’ one person wrote.
Another said: ‘Thank God for the child who had enough wisdom to get the other adult. Glad the child survived.’
‘Thankful the child and other adult acted fast,’ another user said.
Jonesborough is about a 20 minute drive west of Beirne’s hometown of Johnson City. The town is located roughly 275 miles east of Nashville.