Deputies in Liberty County, Texas, are investigating a disturbing case where a mother allegedly drugged her three children with NyQuil and then tried to drown them in a pond on the family’s sprawling property early Monday morning. The father called 911 after he reportedly heard commotion outside the home, which sits behind a gated entrance marked “Rancho Monte Carlo.” When deputies arrived, they found the three children—ages 15, 11, and 6—soaked and shaken near the water. The mother, unconscious and face down in the pond, had to be pulled out by deputies.

The Children Are In Stable Condition

First responders immediately began life-saving measures on the 11-year-old girl, who had lost consciousness. She regained a faint pulse before being transported to a Houston hospital, where she remains in critical condition. The mother was also rushed to the hospital, also in critical condition. The 15-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son survived with less severe injuries and are now considered stable.

A Bizarre Scene

Sheriff’s deputies described the chaotic scene as “bizarre” and “breathtaking.” One deputy said, “Anytime kids are involved, it’s always heart-wrenching.” Investigators believe multiple bottles of NyQuil were found on the property, though it remains unclear how much, if any, the children ingested. Dispatch recordings captured first responders reporting “four kids all NyQuil” as they rushed to the scene. Authorities stressed they are still determining whether the children were intentionally drugged before being brought to the pond.

The Father May Have Saved His Children’s Lives

The father, who has not been publicly identified, told deputies he heard yelling from the front yard. When he went outside, he saw his children near the pond and called 911. Officials believe he pulled some of the children from the water himself before deputies arrived. Law enforcement interviewed him at the sheriff’s office with the assistance of Texas Rangers, who joined the case given its severity. Deputies say he has cooperated fully so far.

Forensics May Play A Major Role In This Case

Authorities confirmed that Child Protective Services is now involved. The family had reportedly lived on the property since 2017 but kept to themselves, according to neighbors. Deputies also disclosed that the children had not recently been enrolled in school, though it is unclear if they were being homeschooled. Investigators said the family home has no clear video surveillance system, though they are checking whether a doorbell camera on the property captured any part of the incident. Without direct footage, they are relying heavily on forensic interviews with the surviving children to piece together the timeline.

An Active Investigation

As of now, law enforcement has not confirmed specific charges. They continue to weigh evidence against both parents, though most statements from officials indicate investigators are treating the mother as the primary suspect. “This is still an active investigation,” the sheriff’s office said. “We are searching for answers, and we will go where the evidence takes us.” For now, one child and her mother remain in critical condition, as a Texas community waits for clarity in a case that deputies themselves describe as “unlike anything they’ve seen before.”