PENDLETON — A Pendleton mother has been charged with neglect of her infant daughter who suffered brain damage, neurological damage and was blinded after nearly drowning in a bathtub earlier this year.

Beverlie B. Lamborne, 30, of the 100 block of Adams Street, Pendleton, was arrested by Pendleton police Monday, Sept. 14 after Madison County Prosecutor Thomas Broderick Jr. Friday, Sept. 11 filed a charge of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted.

Lamborne is charged with leaving 6-week-old Zoey Pierce unattended in chest-deep water in a baby bather seat in an adult-size bathtub on Jan. 29. The child fell in the tub and was found unresponsive, according to charges brought by Broderick.

She was taken to Saint John’s Medical Center and later transferred to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, where she was placed on life support in critical condition for several days.

Broderick said Lamborne left Zoey in a situation that endangered her life. The child suffered brain and neurological damage, blindness and extreme pain, Broderick said.

“The child is no longer in the hospital and is no longer in the home of her mother,” according to a statement issued by Broderick.

Zoey is in the custody of paternal grandparents. Her grandmother, who asked to be identified only as Carol when contacted, said she didn’t wish to comment about Zoey’s condition other than to say “She’s doing fine.”

A person close to the case who asked not to be identified because of its sensitivity said that Zoey “struggles to live every day.

“No matter what’s happening to her, she can’t cry,” said the source, who noted that Zoey breathes through a tracheotomy tube and requires constant care.

A Pendleton Police Department probable cause affidavit describes what happened to Zoey in January.

Lamborne told police that she left Zoey alone in the bathroom for a moment to get her robe. When she returned, Zoey was face-down in the water, not breathing with a washcloth covering the back of her head, according to the affidavit.

Lamborne was held Tuesday in the Madison County Jail in lieu of posting $20,000 bond.

Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com