A MUM has been arrested after allegedly trying to drown a child in a backyard pool while other kids watched on in horror.

Mikaylee Rae Beirne, 31, allegedly forced the youngster under the water while another adult was inside the house in Tennessee.

Beirne had been swimming with several children in the garden pool around 5pm on Wednesday when the alleged attack unfolded.

Police accused the woman of trying to force one of the children’s heads under the water.

One of the other kids swimming in the pool reportedly spotted the murder attempt – and swiftly raced inside to call for help.

The other adult ran outside and demanded that Beirne release the child – but the woman refused, according to Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton.

The adult then grabbed Beirne and hauled her away from the terrified child – who was left with minor injuries and bruising.

All the kids were rushed inside and 911 was called.

Another adult arrived and had a “brief interaction” with the suspect before she drove off.

By the time police arrived, Beirne had fled the scene.

Cops launched a brief manhunt – before finding the suspected child abuser and arresting her.

She is now in prison on a $50,000 bond under charges of aggravated child abuse and neglect.

It comes amid a slew of accidental drownings across the US.

Earlier this month, a three-year-old boy drowned as his devastated father says he “failed” to save him.

Elijah Stephen was tragically found dead in a garden pool in New Jersey.

Grief-stricken father, Michael Stephen, recounted the moment he found his son lying face down in the water.

He said: “His lips were blue. He had no pulse. Sandi [Elijah’s mother] rushed to call 911”.

“The images will forever be burned into my mind.

“I wasn’t fast enough. I failed. And I will spend everyday of my life replaying that,” he said.