Mother of Orange County child who died after being left alone in makeshift bathtub arrested

OC mom arrested in child's drowning

The 2-year-old's mother was giving him a bath when she stepped away for a few moments.

PLACENTIA, Calif. - The mother of a 2-year-old boy who was found unresponsive in an Orange County home has been arrested, according to the Placentia Police Department.

Officials said this may have been a drowning in a plastic bin used as a makeshift bathtub.

What we know:

Child Pronounced Dead at Hospital

Officers were called to a home near S. Main Street and W. Santa Fe Avenue in Placentia just after 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22. 

The child was located in the bathroom and taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The child's mother, identified as 40-year-old Melissa Lyn Beisel, was also taken to a local hospital for treatment of "self-inflicted wounds," police said.

Parents Questioned, Mother Arrested

Both parents, who are in their 40s, were cooperating with investigators, authorities said.

The father was questioned and deputies described the mother as being in a near catatonic state, while the father appeared hysterical.

Investigation Details

According to investigators, the mother was giving the toddler a bath using a plastic storage bin that was placed in a walk-in shower.

The child's mother said she stepped out of the bathroom for about two minutes to get soap. When she returned, she found her toddler face down in the water inside the bin. Police said the mother began CPR and when that did not work, she harmed herself with a sharp object. 

Child's death under investigation in OC

A child has passed away after being found unresponsive in a bathtub, investigators said.

According to police, Beisel stayed in the bathroom with her son for about six hours before she was located by a family member who called 911.

Four Other Children Inside Home

Four other children, who are step-siblings of the victim, were inside the home at the time of the incident. Deputies say they appeared to be in good condition and provided statements to investigators. A chaplain was called to the scene to assist the family.

Authorities noted there have been no previous reports of child abuse or domestic violence at the home.

What's next:

Beisel was taken into custody after being discharged from the hospital for involuntary manslaughter and child abuse causing great bodily injury.

 At this point, Placentia police believe this was negligence, not malicious. The other kids are with their dad, safe at an undisclosed location. 

Neighbor Speaks Out 

What they're saying:

Their neighbor, Molly Ortiz, recalled hearing screams from the house. 

"The dad was screaming and yelling saying that she had killed him and then I guess he was in such a panic he fell to the floor and collapsed, and my husband ran and told me what was going on and when I came outside they were taking the little boy on the stretcher into the ambulance," explained Ortiz. 

Ortiz has only seen the mother once but knew the toddler, his dad and step-siblings well.

"Especially when their dad was so loving with them. I would see it every morning. He would kiss them goodbye. He was a great little kid he and his little brothers would come out and play and they would ask for treats and toys and stuff. They were a great little family."

What we don't know:

The name of the child has not been released.