Linda Harden: Mom Faces Charges In Son's Near-Drowning

A Houston woman faces charges of child endangerment by omission in the near-drowning of her seven-year-old son.

Linda Harden, 33, helped her son over a fence to a closed pool in an apartment complex in the 5600 block of Antoine yesterday afternoon, police say. The child was discovered to be unresponsive and has been hospitalized in critical condition.

“In addition to complications from the near drowning, the boy suffered head trauma and appears to have older injuries,” HPD says.

“Harden initially told investigators she, her son and three other siblings jumped the gate to get to the pool,” HPD says. “Harden stated the victim dove into the pool and hit his head. Harden eventually admitted she left her three young children (ages 2 to 4) alone in an apartment while she took her older son (victim) to swim.”

Police said that Harden told them “she soon realized her son was not moving in the pool.”