Las Vegas mother allegedly tried drowning 15-month-old daughter because she 'could not take it'

LAS VEGAS (TCD) -- A 31-year-old mother was arrested after allegedly trying to drown her 15-month-old daughter in the bathtub.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department told KLAS-TV that officers responded to an apartment on Charleston Boulevard near Christy Lane on Friday, May 13, after a mother called and said she had "almost abused her own child" and "could not take it anymore."

At the apartment, authorities reportedly noticed the bathtub was running, and the child was in a soiled diaper.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the juvenile victim was transported to the hospital but did not appear to have any severe injuries.

A report obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal said the apartment was "kept in a manner that was unsafe and unhealthy for humans and animals." There was allegedly rotten food, cat urine and feces, and dirty dishes in the sink of the apartment.

Police told KLAS there were overfilled trash bags along the floor, as well as a refrigerator drawer on the counter that was covered in "what appeared to be congealed meat juice with mold growing over it."

Upon being interviewed, Desiree Mason reportedly told authorities she "got angry but could not explain why." Mason allegedly slapped her daughter and then held her head underwater in the bathtub for approximately 30 seconds.

The report obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal said, "Desiree stated it did not seem as if she was doing this to (her daughter) but to someone or something else."

Children can reportedly hold their breath for around 30 seconds, and it was likely that her daughter was close to the point of drowning and breathing in water.

Mason was charged with attempted murder and child abuse. She remains held on $50,000 bail, records show.

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