samantha salaz
Samantha Salaz, age 19, accused of trying to drown her toddler in toilet. Photo via Colorado Springs Police Department.

Two women have been taken into custody and held at the El Paso County Jail in Colorado Springs, Colorado, accused of trying to drown a 20 month old toddler girl. One of the women is reportedly the toddler's mother, Samantha Salaz, 19 and the other is a caregiver, Mary Horsley, 50. It is not yet known Horsley's relationship to the victim or her mother. One of the women apparently called police to report that the toddler may have drowned in the toilet. When police arrived, they found the unconscious tot who was brought to a local hospital and admitted into the pediatric ICU.

According to police, the toddler's body showed numerous signs of abuse as reported by the Denver Post. It was later determined that the baby had been severely abused and the near drowning incident was likely a botched attempt at murder. Police arrested the two women on felony child abuse charges and attempted murder. Both women are held on $500,000 bonds and have a preliminary court date today at 1:30pm in Colorado Springs.