Intoxicated Pennsylvania woman charged with abuse, threw toddler into Florida pool, police say

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A woman is facing a child abuse charge after police said she threw a 3-year-old boy who can't swim into a pool in Florida.

According to Pinellas County booking records, St. Petersburg police arrested Ashton Heddens, 33, of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, on Friday.

Authorities said Heddens was intoxicated while taking care of a toddler, whom she brought to an area swimming pool, WFLA reported. Although the child said he didn't know how to swim, Heddens grabbed his torso and neck, then tossed him into the pool, police said.

Investigators later observed "claw marks" on the boy's neck and upper back, according to WFLA. Police added that Heddens' speech was slurred when they interviewed her.

Heddens was arrested and released on $5,000 bond, according to WFLA.

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