'Mentally ill' pregnant mother, 25, is charged with attempted murder after sending video of herself trying to drown her six-year-old son in a bathtub to the child's father

  • Dazshea Watkins, 25, was indicted on 32 charges, including attempted murder, assault and endangering children
  • She is accused of filming herself holding her six-year-old son by the neck under water in a bathtub, with the boy kicking and splashing as he tries to break free
  • Watkins sent the video to the boy's father, who rushed to her home to find the child safe
  • Watkins later told child services she was pregnant, and felt frustrated and alone
  • She is also accused of hitting her son over the head with a broom and trying to smother him with a pillow  

By SNEJANA FARBEROV FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: | Updated:

A Cleveland woman has been indicted on more than 30 charges, including attempted murder and child endangerment, for allegedly filming herself trying to drown her six-year-old son in a bathtub and then sending the video to the boy's father.

Dazshea Watkins, 25, who is said to be pregnant with her second child, was arrested on September 4 in connection to an incident that took place a week prior.

During her arraignment on Wednesdays morning, Watkins pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted murder, six counts of felonious assault, 15 counts of endangering children, four counts of kidnapping, four counts of domestic violence and one count of pandering obscenity involving a minor.

Cleveland mother Dazshea Watkins, 25, has been indicted on 32 charges, including attempted murder, assault and endangering children
She is accused of trying to drown her six-year-old son (pictured) in a tub in late August

Cleveland mother Dazshea Watkins, 25, has been indicted on 32 charges, including attempted murder, assault and endangering children. She is accused of trying to drown her six-year-old son (pictured right) in a tub in late August 

The woman allegedly filmed herself holding her son by the neck under the water, with the boy kicking and splashing

The woman allegedly filmed herself holding her son by the neck under the water, with the boy kicking and splashing

Watkins has been out on $10,000 bail since September 12.

According to the woman's indictment cited by Cleveland.com, Watkins, who purportedly suffers from mental health problems, on or around August 28 tried to drown her son in the tub.

She filmed herself holding the boy by the neck under the water, with the six-year-old kicking and desperately trying to escape her grasp.

The recording ends without showing the child being pulled out of the water.

Watkins then sent the video to her son's father, who rushed over to her apartment and whisked the boy away.

The father later showed the video of the near-drowning to his sister, who urged him to contact the authorities, according to the document.

When the man said he did not wish to see Watkins in jail, his sister filed a report on his behalf with the Cuyahoga County Department of Child and Family Services, eventually leading to Watkins' arrest.

According to the indictment, when a caseworker spoke with Watkins on the phone about what happened, the 25-year-old allegedly said she was pregnant, and felt frustrated and alone, reported WKYC.

The indictment also accuses the young mother of beating her son over the head with a broom several times and attempting to smother him with a pillow.

Watkins later told child services she was pregnant, and felt frustrated and alone
The woman is said to be suffering from mental health problems

Watkins later told child services she was pregnant, and felt frustrated and alone. The woman is said to be suffering from mental health problems 

Watkins is also accused of hitting her son over the head with a broom and trying to smother him with a pillow

Watkins is also accused of hitting her son over the head with a broom and trying to smother him with a pillow

A subsequent medical examination revealed that the six-year-old victim had marks all over his body which were consistent with abuse, according to the document.

Child services had two prior contacts with Watkins in 2014 and 2015, but both cases were closed without any charges being brought against her.

Watkins' son is currently staying with relatives, but child services is seeking to take temporary custody of the boy.

Watkins was barred from having any contact with her son. She is due back in court next Monday. 

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