Here's What's Hot On CBS11TV.COM:
Feb 22, 2009 4:33 pm US/Central
Mother Admits Attempted Murder Of Young Child
Seema Mathur
VENUS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
-
-
Johnson County Sheriff's Office
A Johnson County mother is in jail, accused of trying to kill her 2-year-old son.
The accusations caused investigators to act quickly and arrest 41-year-old Gayla Deforest of Venus.
Johnson County Sheriff's deputies say the mother called her child's daycare, saying she tried to kill her son. The daycare then called police, who rushed to make sure the child was safe.
Neighbor Melissa Smith says the boy appeared to lead a happy life, riding his toy tricycle. "He was always laughing and giggling."
On Friday, Smith witnessed a different scene once police arrived.
In a statement released to members of the media by the Johnson County Sheriff's Department, Gayla Deforest told them that her son had "messed in his diapers and then proceeded to make a mess on the walls with the fecal material. She spanked the child leaving bruising on his bottom, put him in the bath tub to clean him up and then twice turned the child over, holding his head under water trying to kill the child. She then removed him from the bath and beat him with a large plastic kitchen spoon."
Melissa Smith was bothered by the news. "It's shocking, it's very shocking... There's no sense in treating a child like that... They might frustrate you, but that's just part of kids and you should love them, no matter what you shouldn't do something like that to them."
Deforest has been charged with Criminal Attempt of Capital Murder. Her husband spoke to CBS 11 on Sunday, saying his wife may have been suffering from depression. He was not at home at the time of the incident.
The Johnson County Sheriff's Department says the 2-year-old boy is physically okay. He has been placed into custody with Child Protective Services.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
In Case You Missed It ...
CBS Mobile Launches Local News iPhone Apps
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments