Lakeway woman arrested in 'soon-to-be' adopted daughter's death, police say

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman was arrested after her "soon-to-have-been-adopted" 6-year-old daughter died following an incident at a Lakeway home in 2023, the Lakeway Police Department said in a press release.

Chelsye Reagan Witcher, 41, was arrested Friday morning and charged with Injury to a Child, a first-degree felony, and Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence, a third-degree felony, police said.

KXAN is in contact with Witcher's attorney about the accusations. This story will be updated if we receive a statement on her behalf.

Police responded to a home on Sunrise Ridge Cove in Lakeway for a reported drowning on Nov. 1, 2023, the release said.

Witcher told authorities "the child was found face-down and seizing in the bathtub." The child was taken to Dell Children’s Hospital and died the next day, police said.

Investigators believe "Witcher’s actions directly contributed to the child’s death," the release said.

Police said Witcher tried to hide evidence of the incident. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, investigators found video of the incident through security cameras inside the home.

The medical examiner's report stated the child's cause of death was drowning and the manner of death was homicide, the affidavit said.