Mom Claims 3-Year Old Died, Then Tries To Drown Him: Police

CHICAGO, IL — A South Side Chicago mom faces an attempted murder charge after her 3-year-old son nearly drowned to death in the bathtub of their residence in the city's South Shore neighborhood on Sunday. Reports indicate Celeste T. Christian, is being held without bail. She was charged by Chicago police with attempted first degree murder and aggravated battery of a child under 13.

Police responded Sunday night around 9:45 p.m. on Sept. 23 to the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital, where the young boy had been taken in critical condition with fluid in his lungs.

Police said Christian, the boy's mother, told them that she left the boy unattended in the bathtub of their residence in the 1700 block of East 79th Street and when she returned discovered him "limp and floating on top of the water."

The boy is believed by authorities to have been held underwater and was treated for asphyxiation, according to a Chicago Tribune report.

The Tribune also reports that Christian, 21, posted on Facebook a few days before the incident that her 3-year-old son had died when he hadn't. Also that Comer received a call from the Gift of Hope organization, an organ and tissue organization, one hour before the boy arrived asking if he was there yet.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has opened up a new investigation after this alleged incident, according to police. The new probe alleged "torture," "inadequate supervision" and "substantial risk of physical injury or environment injurious to health and welfare," the Tribune reports. DCFS officials have said there have been three prior investigations of Christian, all involving domestic violence with a man.

Christian also has a 2-year-old daughter, who the Tribune reports is in the care of an aunt.

Photo via Cook County Sheriff's Office