Mom Behind Bars After Trying To Drown Disabled Daughter: Police

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A Gaithersburg woman faces an attempted murder charge after police say she tried to drown herself and her disabled daughter Wednesday morning.

At about 2:21 a.m., a Gaithersburg police officer was on foot patrol at the RIO Lakefront on Washingtonian Boulevard "when she heard what sounded like gurgling and splashing in the water," authorities said.

The officer, Mary Liddi, located two women in the water struggling to stay afloat. She immediately radioed for backup and jumped into the eight-foot deep lake to rescue the pair.

With the help of other police officers, Liddi was able to pull the women out of the water and onto the embankment.

Following an investigation, police determined that 62-year-old Karen Louisa Isaac was "distraught" and tried to drown herself and her 25-year-old daughter, who suffers from severe medical issues. Both women do not know how to swim, according to authorities.

Isaac and her daughter were taken to a local hospital for treatment. The daughter, police say, is in stable condition.

Isaac has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment, court records show. No bond information is available at this time.

Resources for Help

• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Text 741741
• Maryland Crisis Connect: Call 211 and press option 1 or text 898-211
• Montgomery County Hotline: Call 301-738-2255
• Trevor Lifeline: Call 1-866-488-7386
• Trans Lifeline US: Call 1-877-565-8860 // Canada: Call 1-877-330-6366