Police say woman admits to drowning 4-year-old grandson in bathtub

FAIRFIELD, Calif. (KTVU) - Fairfield police have arrested a grandmother for suspicion of murder, claiming she told them she drowned her 4-year-old grandson in the bathtub, inside her Jefferson Street home Tuesday morning.

They say 51-year-old Dawn Raines-Hewes deliberately killed the little boy, who was identified Wednesday evening as Richard Kite.

"It was during the questioning of the grandmother. She admitted to the intentional act of drowning the child," said said Sgt. Becky Belk. "The motivation at this time is unknown."

Police is being held in the Solano County Jail.

KTVU asked to speak with her, but were told she is under a special safety watch and couldn't have visitors.

Police received a 911 call and found the boy unresponsive. He was declared dead at a nearby hospital.

Police say Raines-Hewes was babysitting the boy and his two sisters, ages one and six. They were not harmed.

One neighbor told us off camera that the grandmother came over to her house about 30 minutes before police arrived and asked to use her cell phone.

She also asked twice for a ride, then told her never mind, but she apparently didn't act like anything was wrong.

Neighbors said they never saw any problems and are surprised and saddened.

Raines-Hewes is expected to make her first appearance in court Thursday afternoon.

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