Mother accused of holding toddler’s head underwater because they were 'possessed' by 'the diablo'

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (TCN) -- A 29-year-old mother is in custody on suspicion of nearly drowning her child in a bathtub last week after the child knocked over some potted plants.

In the early afternoon of Friday, June 7, officers with the Daytona Beach Police Department responded to a report of a disturbance after a father found his toddler unresponsive in the bathtub. The man successfully performed lifesaving measures, and the child was transported to a hospital for treatment. Police said the young victim is in stable condition.

Investigators identified the toddler’s mother, Karina Mustafa, as the primary suspect. According to an arrest affidavit reviewed by WOFL-TV, the child knocked over some potted plants while playing outside and was covered in dirt. Mustafa and the child’s father got into an argument before the mother allegedly brought her toddler into the bathroom, locked the door, and refused to let the dad in.

The affidavit alleges Mustafa then pushed the child’s head under bathwater. She reportedly opened the door following the incident, and the father discovered the victim unresponsive.

In an interview, Mustafa confessed that she slapped her toddler as punishment after the child pulled her fingers, "damaging her nails," and she allegedly intentionally submerged the child’s face in the water, WOFL reports. She also reportedly told officials the victim is "out of control," which has negatively affected her relationship with the father. Mustafa allegedly believed her toddler was "possessed" and that "the diablo" was with her child.

Police arrested Mustafa and booked her into the Volusia County Corrections on a charge of cruelty toward a child — aggravated child abuse.

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