Grandmother accused of drowning 4-year-old boy
FAIRFIELD, Calif. (WTVD) -- The grandmother of a 4-year-old boy who drowned in California Tuesday has been arrested in connection with his death.
Authorities said the boy was in the care and custody of his 51-year-old grandmother, Dawn Diana Raines-Hewes of Fairfield, when police responded to a report of a drowning at the home on the 1400 block of Jefferson Street around 10:51 a.m.
When officers arrived, they found the 4-year-old boy unconscious and not breathing. Attempts to resuscitate the child were unsuccessful and he died at the hospital.
Authorities said the death was suspicious and launched an investigation into his death. Police questioned Raines-Hewes, and over the course of the interview police said they determined the drowning was not accidental.
"She was babysitting three grandchildren, including the 4-year-old, two girls, a 1-year-old girl, and a 6-year-old girl. In the course of her taking care of these kids, she took the 4-year-old boy and drowned him in the bathtub intentionally," said Fairfield police Officer Cleo Mayoral.
The other children in her care were unharmed.
Fairfield police say the investigation is ongoing and they don't have a motive at this time, nor could they comment on the suspect's mental state.
Raines-Hewes was held without bail.
