SEATTLE — Neighbors gathered Sunday night for a candlelight vigil to remember a 4-year-old boy allegedly killed by his mother at apartment complex last week.
Taner Starks, who helped organize the vigil alongside residents of the Cedar Crossing Apartments, said the community needed closure after the tragedy.
“She was always out there with him for the past three years, just always pulling him in the wagon. They were always outside,” Starks said. “We can’t even try to understand it, but we can at least come together to try and heal.”
According to court documents, the boy’s father called 911 Thursday, saying the child’s mother was having a mental health crisis.
A dispatcher reported “the female in the apartment may have slit her wrists and he saw his son and he is afraid she may have killed him.”
When police arrived at the 6600 block of Roosevelt Way NE around 4:15 p.m., they found the boy in a bathtub in several inches of bloody water, stabbed in the chest.
According to court documents, the mother told officers she “sacrificed” her son because he was doing “odd things” like “licking countertops and jumping around.” She said the boy was autistic.
The 45-year-old woman may face a charge of premeditated first-degree murder, which could carry a life sentence.
But Starks say this is about mental health — and missed warning signs.
“Did we see the signs?” Starks asked. “She lost her job, her car broke down. She got her car fixed, and it was just so overwhelming.”
He said the mother was “constantly asking for help,” raising questions about whether mental health resources were truly available.
“Justice would be hospitalization and then maybe talk about whatever prosecution afterwards.” Starks said.
The woman has not yet been formally charged. She is being held in King County Jail on $5 million bail.
트위터 공유: 이웃들의 슬픔 속 철야 추모