Background: The home of the family whose three children were allegedly found in a nearby pond in Liberty County, Texas (KPRC). Inset: Jessica Quintana (Liberty County Sheriff”s Office).
A Texas mother has been apprehended following allegations that she attempted to drown her three children in a pond near their residence. The woman, identified as Jessica Quintana, 39, was taken into custody after being discharged from the hospital on Friday. She faces two charges of injury to a child and one charge of aggravated assault causing bodily injury, according to the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident, which took place on September 29, involved Quintana’s three children—ages 6, 11, and 15. Thankfully, all three survived and are currently under the care of child protective services. The authorities detailed that the children’s father, Domingo Quintana, had contacted 911, reporting that his wife had allegedly poisoned their children with NyQuil and attempted to drown them in a lake. He further claimed that the NyQuil was spiked with vodka. Domingo managed to rescue their 11-year-old daughter from the water, who was then hospitalized in critical condition.
While police have not verified the presence of NyQuil in the children’s systems, they have confirmed that no alcohol was involved. Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Captain David Meyers told KPRC that it seemed Quintana intended for none of them to survive the ordeal.
During her hospital stay, Jessica Quintana underwent a mental health evaluation, though the results have not been publicly disclosed. Meanwhile, Domingo Quintana found himself in legal trouble when he was arrested on October 1 on charges of animal cruelty. This followed the discovery of a cat living in unsanitary and unsafe conditions in their home. He was later released on a $5,000 bond.
According to KPRC’s reporting, Jessica Quintana underwent a mental health evaluation while she was hospitalized. Results or findings were not made public.
Domingo Quintana was arrested after the alleged incident, on Oct. 1, on animal cruelty charges after sheriff’s deputies said they found a “cat being kept in unsanitary and unsafe conditions inside the home.” Domingo Quintana posted $5,000 bond and was released.
Law&Crime’s Chris Stewart reported that during a child custody hearing after the Sept. 29 incident, the children all reportedly reacted “negatively” to the prospect of staying with their father. Domingo Quintana was subsequently barred from seeing his children. The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office stated on Friday that “it is not confirmed whether the father of the children will be facing any charges.”
Jessica Quintana is now in custody at the Liberty County Jail, where she is being held without bond.
