Father accused of trying to drown 2-year-old daughter at Running Springs campground
A woman accused of trying to drown her two-year-old daughter was at a Texas state park where she was visiting with friends.
Caitlin Bledsoe, 22, was arrested Friday and charged with attempted murder after police said she allegedly tried to drown her daughter, who is now in critical condition at Children’s Hospital in Houston, during a camping trip at Running Springs State Park north of Dallas.
Police went to the campground about 9:30 p.m. Friday and found Bledsoe and her daughter in a vehicle, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. Bledsoe drove the van away but left the girl behind, Texas Park Rangers said.
Bledsoe returned to the campground and left the girl in the van, police said. Authorities believe she decided to try to drown the child after learning how to do it.
Bledsoe went missing about an hour later and was found unconscious at a nearby business, the Star-Telegram reported. She was taken to the hospital and was still sedated when police officers took her into custody.
When police arrived at the campground, they discovered the girl was unresponsive and that Bledsoe was sitting inside the van. Police said they also found a plastic bag in the van that apparently had been used to cover the girl’s eyes. The girl had about 40 scratches and bruises and police said the incident looked like an attempted drowning.
Bledsoe appeared to be intoxicated, police said.
A police report from June 23 said Bledsoe and her husband were being investigated for abuse of the child and had been placed on an emergency protection order.
Police said they located another man who was staying in the van. He said Bledsoe had thrown the girl out of the van and he was going to call the police, the Star-Telegram reported.
He instead drove to another business and reported the incident. Bledsoe was taken into custody and the man was given a warning, police told
