A mother from North Carolina is currently in custody after authorities reported that her 16-month-old son drowned on the front porch of their Jacksonville home, in a container filled with water.

The tragic incident, as detailed in a January 5 press release from the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, occurred on December 11 at a residence located off Old Timber Road. The mother, 30-year-old Elizabeth Marie Holderness, has been identified as the suspect.

Authorities responded to a 911 call about a missing child, only to discover the toddler submerged and unresponsive in the container. Emergency services rushed him to the Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, where he was declared deceased.

On the day of the incident, Holderness allegedly “consumed an illegal substance” for a prolonged duration, as reported by the Charlotte Observer. She turned herself in to authorities on January 5.

The circumstances surrounding how the child ended up in the container remain unclear at this time.

Holderness is now facing several charges, including:

• Felony involuntary manslaughter
• Felony negligent child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury
• Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (six counts)

Search warrants reportedly indicated that at the time of the victim’s death, six children, between one and eight years old, were at the residence.

During court Monday, she received a $75,000 unsecured bond amount. According to WITN First Alert, a judge granted a bond amount after Holderness requested a drug test, which came back negative.

Check back for updates.

[Feature Photo via Onslow County SO]