"John" POWELL - 6 yo - Greenville/ Raleigh NC

A mother is behind bars after police say she tried to drown her 6-year-old son.
Greenville Police officers responded to the house of 25-year-old
Shaquia Lasha Powell on Friday afternoon after they received a report of
child abuse.

A spokesperson for Greenville police says Powell reportedly tried to
drown her 6-year-old son in the bathtub by holding him under water.

According to police reports, Powell contacted a neighbor and told him
what she had tried to do. The neighbor in turn contacted Greenville
Police and also contacted members of Powell’s extended family.

Powell's friends and neighbors tell us she was going through some
rough times and even tried to kill herself more than once. Still they
describe her as a good mom and say she would never hurt anyone else --
much less her children.


"I just can't believe it. I can't see her actually doing something to hurt one of her children," said Yolanda Tyree.

Tyree says she's trusted Powell with her own children in the past
and still would today. The main thing on her mind now is that Powell
gets the help she needs.

"We're praying for her, praying for her children. Just hope everything turns out to be okay"

Powell was taken to Vidant Medical Center for evaluation and later released.

The child was not taken to the hospital. Police say he did not appear to have any physical injuries.

Powell has been charged with First Degree Attempted Murder. She was
taken to the Pitt County Detention Center where she is being held
without bond.

The case is still under investigation and police say more charges could be pending.
http://www2.wnct.com/news/2012/feb/19/3/mother-charged-attempted-murder-son-ar-1947953/