Mom charged after driving car with child inside into Offatts Bayou

GALVESTON, Texas – A mother has been arrested after police say she was involved in a hit-and-run accident, then drove her car with a child riding inside into a bayou.

Galveston police say LaTonya Kirven was naked and under the influence when she drove her car into Offatts Bayou with her 6-month-old son inside. Some fishermen on a pier near the 1200 block of 61st Street jumped in, risking their own safety to save the baby boy from drowning.

"The baby was floating. There is some indication she may have been trying to submerge him. That is still an active part of the investigation," said Galveston Police Chief Henry Porretto.

The good Samaritans attempted to bring Kirven to shore, but police say she was combative. When Galveston police pulled her to shore they say she was unclothed and appeared intoxicated.

Investigators say prior to submerging her car in 15 feet of water, Kirven had been involved in a hit-and-run accident. They say she ran over a 70-year-old man after the two had an argument. That incident happened near the 500 block of 42nd Street. The motive behind the assault remains under investigation.

Kirven, 30, is being held at the Galveston County Jail on a $160,000 bond. She is charged with DWI with a child in the vehicle and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Police tell Local 2 additional charges could be filed.

Videos of both the aggravated assault with the vehicle and the incident at Washington Park are being reviewed by investigators and are not being released at this time.


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