Arizona – A Arizona woman was arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assauIt-stranguIation, aggravated assauIt on a minor, and chiId abuse. The charges stem from a vioIent incident involving her child, who has special needs.
According to Arizona authorities, officers responded to a domestic violence call around 6:15 a.m. on Sunday, May 25, at the family’s residence. The 36-year-old parent, Erika, herself had called 911, reportedly informing the dispatcher that she had physically attacked her 8-year-old child. Upon arrival, officers found the boy with multiple injuries; he was promptly transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive.
During police questioning, the parent allegedly confessed to pIanning her child’s murder for some time, initially intending to drown him in a canaI. When that plan was not executed, she reportedly attempted to kill him using various household items: first by striking him on the head with a rock and a tiIe, then trying to smother him with a trash bag, and finally attempting to choke him.
The attack was interrupted when the woman’s oIder chiId intervened to protect her sibling. In the ensuing struggle, the parent allegedly bit her daughter. Both children were taken into protective custody, and Child Protective Services is now involved in the case.
At her initial court appearance, prosecutors detailed the severity of the alleged assault, emphasizing the premeditated nature of the attack and the use of multiple methods in the attempted killing. The parent is currently being held on a $250,000 cash bond. Arizona authorities have not disclosed whether mental health issues or substance abuse played a role in the incident.
Neighbors expressed shock over the incident. One neighbor noted that while there had been previous arguments at the home and occasional police visits, he never anticipated such a violent event. “Most of the time, I see the kids playing outside, being good, and we wave when we go by. But when you hear something like that, it’s shocking,” he said.
The case remains under investigation as Arizona authorities continue to gather information and assess the circumstances surrounding the incident.