LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Authorities say a mother has been arrested after a near-drowning incident in Liberty County left her and her three children hospitalized last month.
The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Jessica Quintana on Friday morning. They said she faces two counts of injury to a child causing bodily injury and one count of assault causing bodily injury.
“We know they were down by the water, and pretty much went into the water together,” Liberty County Sheriff’s Captain David Meyers said. “Based on the evidence we have, we believe that was the intent; they would drown and not wake up.”
In the early morning hours of Sept. 29, the sheriff’s office said they responded to a call for a possible drowning at a Liberty County property.
Domingo Quintana reportedly called 911 and said his children and their mother were by the water and that it was possible she was trying to do something to the kids. When deputies arrived, they said they found the mother still in a pond, and the three children wet and out of the water.
According to the sheriff’s office, Domingo Quintana told investigators he got his children out. When help arrived, Jessica Quintana was in the pond. She had to be rescued by a sheriff’s deputy.
PREVIOUS REPORT: No charges filed yet in Liberty Co. near-drowning case that left mom and 3 kids hospitalized: LCSO
Jessica Quintana had been in the hospital since the morning of the near-drowning until Friday When she was released from the hospital around 10 a.m., Liberty County Sheriff’s investigators took her into custody and transferred her to the Liberty County Jail.
The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office says because they were not able to interview the mom, they do not have a full picture of exactly what happened inside the mansion situated on the family’s multi-million dollar estate in Dayton.
“I do know she was not responsive, also in critical condition (for a while,)” Capt. Meyers said. “Once we speak with her, we hope to get an understanding of her intentions with her and her intentions with the kids.”
What is not in dispute is that so many questions remain. The father, Domingo Quintana, has been charged in an unrelated animal cruelty case. Investigators found a cat with signs of neglect and abuse the day they responded to the near-drowning.
Domingo Quintana was quickly charged with a misdemeanor case of animal abuse. While he was in jail, a City of Liberty Police officer allegedly used his badge inappropriately and visited Quintana. That same officer was then waiting for Quintana when he bonded out, whisking the father away in a truck.
That officer is now being investigated by the Texas Rangers.
But Quintana, the father, is currently not facing any charges related to the near drowning. “I’m not sure we’ll have any charges on the father, but that’s not ruled out as we speak, that’s possible,” Meyers said.
Authorities have confirmed since the beginning of the incident that the three children were not in school. Neighbors have told ABC 13 they rarely saw the family, except for the father. During a child custody hearing after the near drowning, attorneys representing the children said they spoke positively about their mother, but not their father. The kids are now in CPS custody, who placed them with their maternal grandparents.
Investigators, though, urged the public not to jump to conclusions or read comments on social media.
The Liberty County District Attorney’s office would not release court documents or comment today. They are expected to make a public statement on Monday.
Domingo Quintana was arrested on an unrelated animal cruelty charge shortly after the incident.
READ MORE: Father of 3 children rescued from pond in Liberty County arrested on unrelated charges, LCSO says
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