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Family members save children when mother tries to drown them, deputies say

VALRICO, Fla. (WWSB) - A Valrico mother is facing attempted murder charges after witnesses say she tried to drown her three children at a community pool.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call at 1:28 a.m. Thursday at a community pool on Sacramento Street.

Deputies found Shaniece Willingham, 24, on the pool deck. Family members had already intervened, pulling the children, ages 8 months, 2 years and 3 years, from the water and taking them to a nearby home.

The sheriff’s office said Willingham left her parents’ home with the children following an argument. Shortly after, she began posting videos to Instagram saying she was going to harm herself and her children.

Alerted by the videos, family rushed to the pool to see Willingham throw the children into the water before jumping in herself and holding the children underwater.

They immediately intervened, deputies said, removing everyone from the pool.

The children were not injured. Willingham was taken into custody under a Baker Act, jail records show. She is facing three counts of attempted first-degree murder.

The Baker Act permits the involuntary examination of someone for up to 72 hours if there is reason to believe they have a mental illness and are a danger to themselves or others, are unable to care for themselves

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