VALRICO, Fla. (TCN) — A mother faces charges after allegedly trying to drown her three young children at a community pool.
On Sept. 24, shortly before 1:30 a.m., the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded to Sacramento Street, where they found 24-year-old Shaniece Willingham on the deck of a pool. Before deputies’ arrival, relatives had reportedly pulled Willingham’s three kids, ages 8 months, 2 years, and 3 years, from the water and taken them to a nearby residence.
Upon further investigation, deputies learned Willingham allegedly “left her parents’ home with the children following an argument.” She reportedly posted videos shortly after on Instagram “in which she declared her intent to harm herself and her children.”
According to WTVT-TV, in the video, Willingham said it was her “last goodbye, and she could not take it anymore” and that “she loved her kids so much, but she could not leave them behind because no one can take care of them, and they would be safe with God.”
Relatives reportedly rushed to the pool and allegedly observed Willingham throwing her kids into the water before she went in and held them underwater. Family members intervened.
Willingham reportedly told authorities she wanted to kill her kids and herself at the same time. Allegedly, she said she used a rope to tie her and her children so they “could all drown together.”
Fire personnel responded and evaluated the children, but they did not suffer any significant injuries.
Willingham was taken into custody and has been charged with three counts of attempted murder.
Sheriff Chad Chronister called the incident “nothing short of horrific,” adding, “The fear and betrayal these innocent children must have felt at the hands of the one person meant to love, care for, and protect them is unimaginable.”
