A South Carolina woman who police say set her car on fire with her son inside, had first planned to plunge her vehicle into water with the baby inside, after an argument with the boy’s father.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Columbia police arrested 23-year-old Caylin Watson earlier this week after investigators alleged that she intentionally tried to kill her 14-month-old son. WTOC 11 reports that investigators found the car close to mile marker 1 on I-126 West, close to Greystone Boulevard.
At least four witnesses saw the car and called 911. Some of the witnesses tried to retrieve the child until first responders arrived.
Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said that first responders pulled the child from the car and rushed him to the hospital in critical condition. He’s currently at the Augusta Burn Center in Augusta with severe burns all over his body.
An argument erupted, the man reportedly said, and Watson allegedly charged at him with a knife. The man said he took the knife from Watson and attempted to leave, but she threw flowers pots at the car, cracking the windshield.
The man claimed Watson then threatened to “drive off into the water,” got into her own vehicle and rammed the car he was in before driving away.
Authorities pinged Watson’s cellphone to the Columbia River Front Park, but she wasn’t there when deputies arrived. A second ping to the phone indicated she returned home.
As authorities were en route to Watson’s residence, they were dispatched to a vehicle on fire off of I-126.
Watson is currently behind bars facing charges of attempted murder, arson in the first and third degree, and abuse/infliction of great bodily injury on a child.
On Monday afternoon, Watson was denied bond. She remains behind bars at the Columbia jail.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Columbia PD]
