A 17-year-old teen in Florida is facing first-degree murder charges for allegedly stabbing his mother to death. Sheriff Grady Judd of Polk County is pushing for the teen to be tried as an adult, citing concerns over his violent behavior. Judd described the teen as a psychopath and expressed confidence that he would reoffend if released. The teen had previously avoided prosecution for killing his father in Oklahoma by claiming self-defense. Judd believes that the teen’s erratic and violent behavior poses a serious threat to others.
The incident took place in a 55-and-older community in Auburndale, where the teen’s grandmother resides. The teen initially told 911 dispatchers that his mother had “fallen into a knife” after a prolonged fight. However, deputies found the teen to be calm and collected upon arrival, with blood on him. Despite claiming self-defense and a long fight with his mother, there was no evidence of a struggle in the home. Witnesses reported seeing the teen dragging his mother inside the residence while she pleaded for him to let her go.
An investigation revealed a history of confrontations between the teen and his mother, with his grandmother stating that he had been verbally and physically aggressive towards her. The medical examiner determined that the deep knife wound in the mother’s neck was not consistent with an accidental injury, casting doubt on the teen’s version of events. Judd noted that the teen’s violent tendencies were not isolated incidents, with the previous killing of his father also by his hand.
After being bailed out of jail following his father’s killing, the teen was involuntarily committed to a hospital for mental health reasons and subsequently arrested for assaulting his mother. Despite making threats of violence against his mother, he was released back into her care. Subsequent arguments led to the teen fleeing to his grandmother’s house, where the fatal altercation with his mother took place. Judd plans to share information from the investigation with Oklahoma authorities, as the teen’s mother might have been alive had they been able to act on his previous killing.
Judd emphasized the tragic consequences of the teen’s violent behavior and how multiple family members had suffered as a result. The sheriff expressed concern over the teen’s ability to manipulate situations to cover up his violent acts, as evidenced by his claims of self-defense in both killings. The case highlights the challenges of dealing with violent individuals, especially minors, and the need for effective intervention and consequences to prevent further harm. Judd’s determination to seek justice for the victims and hold the teen accountable underscores the seriousness of the situation and the importance of protecting the community from dangerous individuals.
