Mom smiles while trying to drown daughter and nephew as people begged her to stop

An Oklahoma woman, Flor Esthela Ontiveros, 34, is facing charges of child abuse after allegedly attempting to drown her young daughter and nephew at Will Rogers Aquatic Center in Oklahoma City on June 27.

According to court records, Ontiveros has been charged with two counts of child abuse.

The incident came to light when police were called to the pool after a lifeguard found the two children unresponsive. Fortunately, the lifeguard was able to revive them, and they were subsequently taken to a hospital where they received treatment.

Both children are expected to fully recover.

Witnesses reported disturbing details of the incident. According to a probable cause affidavit, Ontiveros was seen smiling while holding the children underwater.

One witness told police that Ontiveros had submerged her nephew’s entire body and head beneath the water, despite people yelling at her to stop. Ontiveros’ 4-year-old daughter also told detectives that her mother held her head underwater and attempted to force her to swallow water.

During an interview with detectives, Ontiveros remained calm and smiling while discussing the incident. When questioned months later, she denied trying to drown the children but admitted that it was something she “could have done.”

Police arrested Ontiveros on August 21, and formal charges were filed on August 30. She is currently being held in the Oklahoma County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond.

The lifeguards at the pool were praised for their quick actions in saving the children’s lives.

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Mason Williams, unit operations supervisor for the City of Oklahoma City, credited the lifeguards’ training, stating, “Lifeguards jumped into action with the help of a patron as well, and got those kids out of the water. Their training kicked in. They get the CPR and the AED.”