A woman has been arrested following the death of a 6-year-old girl who was set to be adopted. The incident occurred in November 2023 at a Lakeway home, and authorities have charged the woman, Chelsye Reagan Witcher, 41, with Injury to a Child and Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence.
According to the Lakeway Police Department, Witcher was arrested Friday morning and faces serious charges, including a first-degree felony for injury to a child and a third-degree felony for tampering with evidence. The police department has not yet received a statement from Witcher’s attorney regarding the accusations, and the story will be updated if a comment is made on her behalf.
The tragic events unfolded on November 1, 2023, when police responded to a reported drowning at Witcher’s residence on Sunrise Ridge Cove in Lakeway. Witcher told authorities that the child was discovered face-down in the bathtub, experiencing seizures. Emergency responders rushed the child to Dell Children’s Hospital, but despite efforts to save her, the child passed away the following day.
Upon further investigation, authorities believe that Witcher’s actions played a direct role in the child’s death. According to the release from Lakeway Police, evidence gathered suggests that Witcher attempted to hide details surrounding the incident. Security camera footage from inside the home reportedly captured critical moments of the event, which helped investigators piece together the sequence of events.
The medical examiner’s report confirmed that the child’s cause of death was drowning and ruled the manner of death as homicide, leading to the charges against Witcher.
The case has shocked the local community, particularly since the child had been in the process of being adopted by Witcher. The investigation is ongoing, and police have not disclosed further details about the circumstances surrounding the death.
As the investigation continues, residents of Lakeway are grappling with the heartbreaking loss of a young life and the grim details surrounding her death. The community is now left to reflect on the tragedy, with many hoping for justice in the wake of the devastating event.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to uncover more information, and the case will likely evolve as additional details emerge. For now, the focus remains on the arrest of Witcher and the legal proceedings that will follow.
